Narendra Modi launches Maritime India Summit 2016, says wants to restore India's position in this sector

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi:  Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Maritime India Summit 2016 at the Bombay Convention and Exhibition Centre in Goregaon on Thursday. The summit is scheduled from April 14 to 16. In his inauguratory speech, Modi said that his government wants to restore India's position in this sector.

Prime Minister also called upon the global business community to partner with the government to give shape to a process of port led development.

He articulated that the maritime is the cheapest and cleanest way of global trade. The government is planning to deploy modern and sophisticated fishing vessels, he said.

Modi also added that the maritime sector not only creates and facilitates economic activities; it also connects countries and civilisations.  He expressed that his government wants to modernize ports & integrate them with SEZs, Port based Smart Cities, Industrial Parks, Warehouses, Logistics Parks

He informed that in the early days, his government had announced "Sagar Mala" project, to boost coastal economy & infrastructure.

Our vast coast line of 7500 km offers vast investment opportunities, said Modi.

He also invoked Dr BRAmbedkar and said that he had great foresight on how to best utilise water resources and how to improve irrigation.

Talking about Climate change, Modi said that it is causing a lot of concern and the forum must address that issue.

PM Modi also released national perspective plan of the Sagarmala programme. He added that the government wants to increase port capacity from 1400 to 3000 mn tonnes by 2025.

Talking about the present scenario of the Indian economy, Modi said that the IMF and World Bank have indicated better days to come for India.