New Delhi: Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel on Sunday asked Indian diplomats to fulfill Prime Minister's vision of 'Make in India' by playing effective role in bringing investments to the states.
Addressing the Indian diplomats at an interaction meet organised by Gujarat government here today, Patel said, "We all are interested in increasing the quality of life of our citizens and Indian envoys can play an effective role in achieving this vision. To facilitate better communication, Gujarat will open a special portal for the Indian Ambassadors to explore new business opportunities."
She requested them to play a supporting role in spreading the 'Khusboo of Gujarat' across the globe. 'Aap ek kadam chaliye, hum das kadam chalenge. Is tarah ham ek kadam se 11 kadam ki doori tai karenge (You take one step we will take 10 steps and likewise we will cover the distance of 11 steps together).
She added "With joint efforts of Union and State Governments, we will be able to realise PM's vision of Make in India."
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj attended the meet and expressed great pleasure at finding the entire Indian diplomatic fraternity under one roof to interact with Gujarat Chief Minister.
She said that it is Prime Minister Narendra Modi's initiative to bring Indian Ambassadors closer to states as investments from abroad will actually flow to states in India.
Swaraj further said that such a platform will open new window for attracting investors and contribute to country's overall development.
Gujarat CM appealed the diplomats to continue to play a pivotal role in creating long-lasting bonds between nations that are premised on trust and cooperation. Calling it a fusion of business and culture, she asked the diplomats to contribute towards India's development.
She further said that we are in the process of amending our labour laws and state's role will be that of the facilitator and not regulator to reduce the Inspector-Raj.
"Gujarat has been an attractive investment destination because of its robust infrastructure. We are the first State to bring a legislation to encourage private sector participation in infrastructure. This has helped us in modernising ports and port-led development, becoming an energy-surplus state and developing as a petrochemical hub," she said.
She asked the Indian Ambassadors to help bring in Foreign Direct Investment and new technology to India, source raw materials for our manufacturing units, search market for our products including handicrafts, skill development of our youths through collaborators from abroad, and link up our MSME sector with foreign enterprises.
"This will provide employment and develop new entrepreneurs," she said.
Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar attended the event besides other senior officials from the centre and state. More than 100 Indian Ambassadors and High Commissioners participated in the meet.
