Ahmedabad: The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) today announced the appointment of Dinesh J Yadav, Director, Arvind Envisol Ltd as the new Chairperson and Rajendra S Shah, Chairman, Harsha Engineers Ltd as Vice Chairman of the CII Gujarat State Council for 2018 -19.

In replies to various questions by media persons, Shri Yadav and Shah said, GST is good direction to go ahead and things are returning to normally after initial teething troubled associated with GST.

When asked which sectors are going well at present, Shri Yadav said textile, food processing, export, auto and manufacturing are the sectors that are doing well. There’s a jump in renewable energy sector. Defense, IOP, cyber security are future potential sectors. Chemical industry has seen some revival due to closure of many units in China. Overall the scenario is improving.

In reply to a question related to job opportunity creation, Shri Shah said, ‘it is true that there’s a problem of unemployment, but at the same time, we in industry face problem in getting skilled persons. Youths here would prefer to join Bachelor of Arts course instead of going to ITIs. The government is offering incentives and creating facilities but ITIs have no students. At ITI in Bavla, students would join the courses and continue for two-three months but will leave the course before completion then.’

Replying the question regarding banking scam and related actions by the government, Shri Yadav said, Government’s continuous drive, new laws, reforms, CBI’s strict actions all together will clean the system and make it better.

Shri Yadav who had been to Andhra Pradesh recently was very appreciative about Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu’s pragmatism when it comes to industrial development. When asked whether Gujarat is lagging behind in competition, Yadav said Gujarat should first take proud that this competition to bring investment was initiated by it, while other states merely followed the Vibrant Gujarat Summit model.

When asked to suggest which were the areas where government could improve to facilitate industries, he said small and medium scale industry was facing issues such as taxation, technological advancement and lack of exposure to export and global market.

On possible water shortage in upcoming summer in Gujarat, they said they were yet to study the situation. Shri Yadav explained how industry had recently done several experiments to utilize treated sewage water.

Shri Yadav and Shah said the state agenda for the year 2018-19 will be based on the theme ‘Creating an Inclusive Economy by Synergising Social Development with Industrial Sustainability’, focusing on overall development and robust collaboration of all developmental stakeholders like the government, industry, academia, institutions and the society at large.

Shri Yadav said, “CII in Gujarat has always focused on a policy driven agenda to drive various initiatives, and sector specific issues and recommendations from the Gujarat industry members with the State Government.”

“Going forward, we look forward working closely with the Government in Gujarat and the Centre to take forward the developmental and economic growth action points already undertaken – and to focus on investment promotion leading to job creation, education, skill development, technical training in backward areas, and to a sustainable inclusive development in Gujarat”, added Mr. Yadav.

Supporting the Chairman’s statement – Mr Rajendra S Shah, Vice Chairman of the newly elected CII Gujarat State Council2018-19 said, “CII Gujarat State looks forward to working on a strong and relevant agenda for 2018 – engaging all stakeholders in furthering key business interests in Gujarat”.

DeshGujarat