Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that there are immense possibilities of cooperation between France and Madhya Pradesh in sectors like energy, renewable energy, tourism, infrastructure development, drinking waster supply and urban development.
The Chief Minister held discussions with a French delegation led by its Consul General Perrin here on Monday. The delegation comprised Minister Consular Ray Cogard, Consular for External and legal Relations lika Maan and Deputy Head of Tourism and Environment Durlabh Maharishi and heads of 18 French companies.
The Chief Minister said that Madhya Pradesh is the fastest growing State in the country. It is making rapid headway in agriculture and industrial sectors. Now, special attention is being paid to urban and rural development. Investor-friendly atmosphere prevails in the State. Single-door policy has been implemented for investors. France and India have longstanding ties.
The State's growth rate is in double digits for the last eight years, which is the highest in the country. Agriculture growth rate is also the highest in the country. Work is being done rapidly in transport and infrastructure sectors. There is immense potential of investment in sectors like automobile, energy, transport, electronics, pharma, information technology, textiles and defence production manufacturing.
Chief Secretary Anthony DeSa gave a presentation on the State's financial condition and investment possibilities. He said that separate investment policies have been chalked out for 10 different zones in the State. land bank of 25,000 hectares has been developed for industries. Special efforts have been made to improve Ease of Doing Business. Madhya Pradesh is a power-surplus State. Investment promotion policies have been chalked out in the State.
The delegation evinced keen interest in sectors like energy, renewable energy, skill development, urban planning, urban public transport, rail transport, defence production and tourism.
Representatives of French companies GDF Suez, Suez Environment, Alstom, Saffron Deslot System, RATP Transwave, Aegis, Acme, Citilum, lumiplan, Solayar Direct and Elno Mechamide, ACS SR Mohanthy and Principal Secretaries of concerned departments were also present at the meeting.