Gandhinagar, 16 December 2011

Speaking at the national executive meeting of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) here today Chief Minister Narendra Modi outlined the state government’s vision for development and its policies for the different sectors of growth.

Chief Minister was invited to FICCI’s national executive meeting, which was held today at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, to share his vision on the Gujarat model of development.
Speaking on the occasion Chief Minister called upon industries to create a brand image for the products of Gujarat in global economy. He said that Gujarat strives for a balanced growth across all the sectors and regions. The state aims at creating a golden advantageous atmosphere throughout the state instead of being satisfied with creating a single golden industrial corridor
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Talking about the state’s policy for encouraging the use of renewable energy Chief Minister said that world’s biggest solar park will be set up near Banaskantha in north Gujarat and that Gujarat is going to become a global capital of renewable energy. With a view to reduce the cost of solar energy the state government is also focusing on the development of solar energy equipment manufacturing industries. Gujarat has also initiated in exploiting hybrid combined energy resource of solar and wind.

Gujarat government has planned to put up solar panels on the Narmada branch canals covering a huge network of about one lakh kilometers. Solar panels and micro turbine technology would generate one megawatt of solar power per one kilometer of branch canals. This will also stop evaporating about one crore liter of Narmada water every year.

Giving details of the road infrastructure in the state, Chief Minister said that state government has constructed nine horizontal roads connecting the eastern and western parts of the state at the cost of Rs.4,000 crore. This strategic communication corridor has established a link between the eastern tribal belts and the ports on the western side.

Chief Minister also announced to put in implementation an incentive policy for the defence equipment manufacturing industries.

Talking about the state’s policy for the agriculture sector Chief Minister expressed his desire to come up with an encouraging policy for greenhouse agro technology and power consumption in greenhouses with a view to increase agro production. He also gave indications to come up with the encouraging policies for agro-processing industries including castor and to set up dedicated agro-industrial zone for the caster.
Mr.Modi said that he has talked with the Central government to change headquarter of Delhi Mumbai industrial corridor (DMIC) from Delhi to Ahmedabad. The Central government is going slow on this project whereas Gujarat is all-equipped for the speedy completion of the project, he said.

Chief Minister also gave outlines of state’s approach for women empowerment through the medium of Mission Mangalam project under PPP model.

He said the state government has started more than 1,000 skill development courses for the youths with a view to cater to the demands of industries for the skilled manpower.
FICCI president Mr. Harsh Mariwala welcomed the dignitaries and spoke about the objectives of today’s meeting.

Vice President Naina Lal Kidwai proposed the vote of thanks.
FICCI executive committee members and industry leaders were present on the occasion.