President Ram Nath Kovind lauded the Yogi Adityanath government for pursuing policies for investment in the state and organizing `UP Investors’ Summit’.
Delivering the valedictory speech on the concluding day of the Summit on Thursday, the President said that the UP government has shown determination in providing a facilitative environment for business and for investors.
“The ‘Nivesh Mitra’ single-window-portal has made it easier to start an enterprise in the state. The state government has begun implementing ‘Business Reform Action Plan 2017’ as per Union government’s suggestions. A new policy has been rolled out to enhance industrial investment and employment. All these changes have boosted the confidence of investors,” said Kovind.
The President said that UP was a state of farmers and farmers in the state have shown great determination in accepting modern technologies.
“There is need for developing the entire agri-value chain so that small farmers can sell their produce at fair price and large investors can develop cold storages and other infrastructure, to provide good marketing facilities. UP is a leading producer of many agricultural commodities. There are enormous opportunities for large investments in the state in agri-based businesses such as food parks, food processing units, animal husbandry and dairy products manufacture, “ said the President.
Pointing to ‘Ek Janpad –Ek Utpad’ (One district, one product) scheme of the state government, Kovind said, “We should learn from countries such as Italy and France to enhance earnings and increase employment through branding and marketing of traditional handicrafts. Our artisans are very skilled and we should use their skills effectively. This will result in economic progress of crafts-persons in every district of UP and every district will be able to carve out its distinctive identity.”
The President said that investing in human resources was of utmost importance. “The UP government has made a very substantial provision for education in its recent budget. Resources will be used for basic and secondary education along with technical education and higher education. This investment will have far-reaching benefits for the young talent in the state. He appreciated the UP government for giving top priority to education as a building block of the economy,” he said.
Kovind said that investors have shown great enthusiasm due to progressive governance and forward-looking policies. But the task of taking the state forward was not just that of the government and all residents wre partners in development of the state.
The President urged the people of the state to extend their traditional hospitality to investors, tourists and all economic stakeholders.
“Apart from attracting investments of an economic kind, the progress of Uttar Pradesh should motivate those who come to the state to become emotionally invested in it,” he said.
Kovind said that UP was home to some of India’s finest institutions of higher education, such as IIT Kanpur, IIM lucknow, Banaras Hindu University, Allahabad University and so many others.
“This talent pool gives it the base to become an economic powerhouse. The state is teeming with talented young people and comprises one of the largest workforces, as well as consumer markets, not only in India but anywhere in the world,” he said.
The President said that the recent period has been one of enormous economic changes for India – of soaring aspirations and achievements.
“Introduction of Goods and Services Tax has been a milestone and broken down barriers between states . It has boosted the creation of a common market and a more formal economy. Filing of taxes under GST has been made progressively smoother. The switch from cash to digital payments has been notable and created new opportunities. The simplification of procedures for tax payers, business-persons and investors has led to India making significant advances in Ease of Doing Business,” the President said.