After Chinese entrepreneurs, it’s the French investors who have now evinced keen interest in investing in a host of sectors in Chhattisgarh.
The companies are keen to invest in solar energy, software, transport, urban infrastructure, pharma, dairy and tourism sectors, officials informed.
Notably, Chief Minister Raman Singh on Tuesday met French Ambassador (Economic wing) Eva Pereen at his official residence.
He had a detailed discussion regarding the investment opportunities in Chhattisgarh.
Singh added that there are immense possibilities of investment at Industrial Park at Naya Raipur, Defence park and Pharmaceutical and Solar park at Rajnandgaon.
The Chief Minister provided details regarding State's friendly and conducive investment policies and added that Chhattisgarh is linked with road, air and rail with all the major cities of the country.
There is a peaceful industrial atmosphere, availibility of skilled manpower, surplus power and guarantee of huge profits, Singh said.
Pereen said that two big French companies-la Farge and Elstome- are already operating in the State. About 400 French companies are operating in the country, he said.
Additional Chief Secretary Energy N. Baijendra Kumar, Industry Secretary Subodh Kumar Singh, Tourism and Public Relations Secretary Santosh Misra, Chief of Finance Department of France Embassy Mumbai Bernard and Press Attache Fabian Bondo were also present.
Notably, the Chhattisgarh government has commenced the process of setting up the Electronic Manufacturing Cluster (EMC) at Sector-22 of Naya Raipur.
Initially, infrastructural development works such as construction of boundary wall, roads , drainage, culverts, water supply system and streets light would be taken up.
Notably, the Chhattisgarh government will also be setting up an IT SEZ in the vicinity of the EMC to be established at Sector 22 in the new capital.
The EMC would be at located about 7 kms from the Swami Vivekananda Airport, Raipur. The site enjoys abundant water supply from the Mahanadi river and also have also sufficient power connection to cater the needs of operation in EMC, officials stated.
Notably, Chief Minister Raman Singh had stated recently that to realize Prime Minister's vision of ‘Make in India’, Government of Chhattisgarh has adopted a focussed policy approach which includes ease of doing business, development of world class industrial infrastructure and enacting business friendly policies to facilitate business and investment in the State.
Chhattisgarh has always been one of the preferred states in the country for business and investment but so far most of the investments have been made in core sectors like mining, steel, aluminium, cement etc, he said.
There is huge potential for non-core sectors like electronics, food processing, engineering, solar equipment etc. which are being promoted as strategic sectors in the State, Singh had stated.
In the last financial year 2015-16, the State Government signed MoUs of more than Rs 54,000 crore across various focussed sectors. Most of these MoUs have come under implementation, he had stated.