Top industrialists, foreign diplomats and representatives attending the Investors Summit extolled possibilities in Uttarakhand for investment and developments. Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat appreciated the overwhelming response to the Investors Summit.
The CM said that such was the response the summit that registrations had to be closed a few days earlier.
He spoke of the focus areas of the State Government for investment and shared details of MoUs and proposals received in various sectors so far. The State has diligent work force, among the lowest crime rates in India, conducive atmosphere for investment and industry along with good infrastructure which is being developed further with projects like the all-weather road and Rishikesh-Karnprayag rail line.
Managing Director of Amul, RS Sodhi said that Uttarakhand’s per capita income was 70 higher than the national average. About Rs 2,000 crore worth milk is consumed in Uttarakhand in a year of which about 15 per cent is locally sourced.
With will to work, Uttarakhand has all potential to develop in the dairy sector. Amul has signed MoUs for technical assistance and training in Uttarakhand which will definitely help towards achieving such development, he said. Mahindra Group managing director Pawan Kumar Goenka referred to his company’s experience of operating two manufacturing plants in Uttarakhand. He said that since the automobile manufacturing plants had been established here, no disruption had been experienced in their operation. Good governance in Uttarakhand is conducive to investment and industry, he added.
Chairman and managing director of Jindal Steel Works, Sajjan Jindal recalled his experience of visiting Kedarnath and his company’s involvement in reconstruction works there following the 2013 disaster. He said though JSW was not industrially active in Uttarakhand yet, it would definitely look to invest here considering the appreciable opportunities here.
Adani Enterprises Limited director Pranav Adani said that the Adani Group sees immense potential in Uttarakhand. The group has signed MoUs for investment amounting to about Rs 6,500 crore in sectors including transport, metro, solar power and logistics, he added.
Acharya Balkrishna of Patanjali spoke of the immense herbal wealth in Uttarakhand. He said that Uttarakhand has 60 per cent of the 22,000 medicinal and aromatic herbs found in India. He also spoke of opportunities in the Yoga, AYUSH and wellness sectors in the state.
ITC Managing Director Sanjiv Puri said that his company had had an encouraging experience of doing business in Uttarakhand. He also pointed towards opportunities in the food processing sector in the State.
Singapore Minister, S Iswaran, said that he saw three focus areas for his country’s involvement in Uttarakhand. Singapore would be interested in smart city development, tourism and air connectivity. Stating that there is considerable potential for attracting international tourists to Uttarakhand, he expressed hope that a direct flight could be started between Dehradun and Singapore.
Ambassador of the Czech Republic in India, Milan Hovorka said that his country would like to support expansion in manufacturing sector apart from expressing interest in automobiles, renewable energy, hydro power, food processing, information technology, tourism and hospitality sectors. Ambassador of Japan in India, Kenji Hiramatsu also expressed his views on the occasion.