Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav sought help from nine Indian ambassadors to different countries during a meeting on Thursday urging them to project UP as a ‘brand’ globally to encourage investment in the State.
These Ambassadors are on a three-day visit to lucknow to study the scope of investment in UP and the delegation met Governor Ram Naik at Raj Bhawan earlier.
Indian ambassadors Vinod Kumar (Uzbekistan), Rajesh Kumar (Bulgaria), Ajay Bisaria (Poland), Indra Mani Pandey (Oman), Saurabh Kumar (Iran), Sushil Kumar (Angola), Nagma M Mallik (Brunei) and Subhdarshani Tripathi (Jordan) met the CM at his official residence and discussed in detail the possibility of investments from these countries.
“You are representing India in different countries. Project UP as a brand so that people across globe show their interest in investing in the state,” said the Chief Minister.
As a hard bargainer, Yadav said that UP has high potential of export in agri-products, handicrafts, leather products and jewellery. Besides, there is adequate scope for eco and medical tourism. This will open a new job market for people in the State, Yadav said.
“Being the most populous State of India, UP is a big market. Realising the investment potential, the State Government has prepared sector-wise friendly investment policy. The infrastructure is being improved. New roads are coming up to shorten the commuting time. Power problems are being solved so that domestic and industry sectors could get quality electricity,” he said.
The CM spoke about Metro Rail coming up in different cities, setting up of sugar mills and linking youth to the digital world.
“Farmers are being exposed to modern technology so that they can get good produce. A perfume park is coming up in Kannauj. Hi-tech cities are coming up in different parts including Allahabad, Kanpur, Unnao and lucknow," the CM said.
Indian Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Vinod Kumar said that there is high probability of cotton processing, yarn and tourism while Ambassador to Bulgaria, Rajesh Kumar said that there was possibility of iron processing, IT, agriculture production, and tourism. Ajay Bisaria (Poland) said his embassy will extend all help to State officials.
Indra Mani Pandey (Oman) spoke on link between India and people from east UP and suggested that literature in Hindi and Bhojpuri should be provided to the embassy to popularise UP’s projects among them.
Saurabh Kumar (Iran) talked about Shia link between lucknow and Iran. Ambassafor to Brunei offered help in IT and agriculture processing.