Vadodara, 20 August 2014

Taking Gujarat and Japan’s long-standing relationship forward, Chief Minister Smt. Anandiben Patel inaugurated Japanese company, TOTO Industry’s Sanitaryware production plant at Halol in Panchmahal district. This is the highest investment by the company in South Asia.

On this occasion, the Chief Minister said that TOTO industry’s sanitaryware production plant is one more example of Gujarat being the most preferred destination for investment. Business friendly environment and strong fundamentals like uninterrupted power, world class roads, adequate water, negligible labour strife and security, which are the defining aspect of Gujarat’s development have attracted Japanese companies towards Gujarat. She added that state government’s initiatives like Single-Window System and Vibrant Gujarat have given pace to the state’s development.

While mentioning about the training given to youth by TOTO group, Smt. Patel said that the production plant constructed at the cost of Rs. 350 crore will provide livelihood to more than 700 youth.

Chief Minister urged youth to take benefit of vocational training skills imparted by the state government. She said that in order to provide vocational training to the youths, government has setup ITI in every taluka and is in the process of setting up 19 more ITIs. Adding that state government’s decision to setup Central University in the region will enhance capabilities of youth, Smt. Patel gave details of government’s plan to set up Skill Development University and Sports University.

She also briefed the audience about Government’s plans to encourage establishment of SMEs for which Rs. 100 crore have been allocated in the state budget of the current year. About 1 lakh units would thus be established.

Smt. Patel gave details of state government’s decision of constructing multi-storeyed buildings in the remaining plots of GIDC to provide space to small-medium scale industries.

Another ambitious project mentioned by Honorable CM in her speech was setting up a World-Class Convention Center in Vadodara, at the cost of Rs. 50 crore.

Chief Minister, while giving details about the provision made in the state budget to provide ‘MA’ card to organized and unorganized labour class involved in construction, appealed business houses to ensure that labourers receive the card and avail medical treatment.

Smt. Patel reiterated her resolve to make Gujarat free from malnutrition and build toilet in every house of the state. TOTO company having an expertise in building toilets, the Chief Minister appealed to them to develop technology for lowering the use of water in toilets and also for building toilets for poor.

As it is observed that lot of water is wasted in present flushing system in toilets, Chief Minister asked manufacturers to invent a technique that may offer flushing in toilets using just 1-1.5 liter water at a time. She also appealed to utilize Japanese expertise for recycling-reuse of drainage water treatment plant.

Japanese Ambassador Takeshi Yagi and other dignitaries were present on this occasion.