By – Viswanathan
CONNECTING INDIA TO WORLD
- In a bid to promote the ‘Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2017’ in Australia, the Gujarat Government held a road show in Sydney to woo Australian investors and seek cooperation in areas like education, clean energy, mining, agro and food processing, sports and tourism.
The road show is an opportunity to to establish collaborations between various sector experts and businesses to strengthen relationship between the state of Gujarat and Australia.
A 15-member delegation, led by Managing Director of Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation Pankaj Kumar focused on the on the ease of doing business in the state as well in rest of the country and the focus areas are education, clean energy, mining, agro and food processing, sports and tourism.
“The roadshows will exhibit Gujarat as a favourable investment destination and as one of the fastest growing state in India. Gujarat is also a manufacturing hub,” PankajKumar said.
“Our team will be focusing on education which is second most important sector and we will meet vice chancellors, academicians of several Australian universities,” he said.
Speaking to the Indian Telegraph, Mr. Pankaj Kumar stated “Gujarat is a policy driven State. The MOU with NSW is progressing well. We are focusing on specific opportunities such as with CSIRO in Sydney. AIBC is playing a major role in the partnership between Gujarat and Australian businesses and Governments”
Mr. Pankaj Kumar summarized the mission of the Vibrant Gujarat Road show “Gujarat will connect you not merely to opportunities in India but connects you to the world.
The excellent roadshow in Sydney held at the Indian Consulate on 3rd August was hosted jointly by AIBC with the Consul General of India. Consul General B Vanlalvawna welcomed the “Vibrant Gujarat” delegation and the invited guests. Detailing about Indian economic growth and the business opportunities in India and specifically in Gujarat Mr. Vanlalvawna stated that Government of India’s more investment friendly policies are in the pipeline.
Sheba Nandkeolyar, AIBC Chair described the AIBC experience of taking the delegations to Gujarat for “Vibrant Gujarat”. The benefits of international collaboration are very evident in Gujarat. She urged Australian businesses to connect with the delegation members and understand the opportunities. AIBC will be taking a delegation again to Vibrant Gujarat Summit in Jan 2017.
AIBC NSW President Raja Venkateshwar said “Vibrant Gujarat is – as rightly pointed out today – Is the gateway to India & from India to the world. AIBC is privileged to be a key partner and AIBC, NSW representing Australia’s growth engine and largest economy will endeavour to make this delegation as big a success as in the past.”
This was followed by a NSW Government presentation by Paul Manoharan from the Department of Premier and Cabinet which included mutual opportunities between NSW and Gujarat. Presenting “Destination Gujarat”, Mr. Pankaj Kumar, leader of the delegation elaborated on similarities and the close links between Gujarat and NSW. He stated that there are specific opportunities in agriculture, food processing, aviation, urban development, clean technology, water harvesting and education and appealed to Australian businesses to consider investing in these segments. He said the NSW Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Gujarat and focused on some of the above areas.
In Sydney, the delegation also met with NSW Premier Mike Baird and Mr. Stuart Ayres, Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events and discussed on Vibrant Gujarat opportunities.
What Makes Gujarat Vibrant?
Gujarat as a state has strong characteristics that set them apart – its entrepreneurial people, excellent infrastructure, stable governance and progressive business–friendly policies.
The Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, since its inception in 2003, has established itself as the biggest international business event of India. It is a visionary approach towards inclusive development, by ensuring policy-driven governance and effective business promotion.
“India has emerged as a leading global investment destination. This is a testimony to the steady pace of its structural reforms, simplification of procedures, and far-sighted foreign investment policies. States have been enthusiastic partners in this journey. I am confident that the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit – 2017 will provide a platform for policy-makers, investors, and experts to explore new opportunities for economic growth and sustainable development” said Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India. “Our success, as an institution, is closely tied to the economic growth and development of India. For this reason, we are committed to catalysing a Vibrant India in addition to a Vibrant Gujarat” said Dr. Jim Yong Kim President, World Bank.
Apart from the fact that it is a fast paced growth State with Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of 111.7 USD billion, Gujarat is also credited for the highest village connectivity, largest refinery in the world, largest producer of processed diamonds, largest mechanised coal terminal, largest producer of cotton, largest exporter of dairy products and being the first State to implement BOT Law and Special Investment Region Act to encourage investments in India.
Having successfully organized seven constructive summits, the Government of Gujarat, as part of its journey towards sustainable long-term growth and inclusive development is organizing the 8th edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit from the 10th to 13th of January 2017 at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar. The central focus of the 8th edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit is “Sustainable Economic and Social Development”. The Summit will bring together heads of states and governments, ministers, leaders from the corporate world, senior policy makers, heads of international institutions and academia from around the world to further the cause of development and promote cooperation. This will also offer a platform for SMEs to connect globally with potential partners to explore opportunities for collaboration and partnership. Networking forums will also foster interaction among stakeholders through B2B and B2C meetings.
Some of the highlights of “Vibrant Gujarat 2017” are:
- An International Trade Show and a Global Business Summit
- A Business Platform showcasing over 25 Sectors
- India’s Largest Exhibition Area: 1,25,000 sq. mtrs
- No. of Participants: 2000+ Companies
- Expected No. of Visitors: over 2 Million
- Expected International Delegates: over 2500
- International Representations: from over 101 Countries
A high profile “Vibrant Gujarat “Delegation visited Australia from 1 August to 5 August and met with a number of potential investors, Education Institutions, Government officials and community members in Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, and Brisbane.
Australia-India Business Council (AIBC) co- hosted the Vibrant Gujarat roadshows. In Sydney event, AIBC was thanked for its continuing partnership with Vibrant Gujarat by delegation leader Pankaj Kumar.
