London, Aug 20: Stating that Gujarat will be the gateway of prosperity of India in the 21st century, Chief Minister Narendra Modi has said those investing in the state in infrastructure, energy and technology projects would greatly benefit because of the state's corporate and professional ethos. India would be a leading industrial power in the 21st century and Gujarat would be the number one industrial state in the country, Modi, who was addressing prominent members of the British business and industrial community at a dinner hosted by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry at the St. James Court, said here last night.
Modi claimed the government has created such a positive environment in the state that it would force investors to come to the state and once they come they would be reluctant to leave. He claimed he had brought about a sea change in the work culture and converted red tape into red carpet for investors.
The dinner was attended by chairman of the London Chamber of Commerce, Asian Business Association, Tony Sarin, leading industrialist Nath Puri, and several leading investors. Amit Mitra, secretary general of Ficci, said, "Gujarat is destined to be the knowledge hub of India particularly in the fields of chemicals, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, petrochemicals, entertainment and infrastructure." He added that there was tremendous scope for investors in private ports and private airports in the state.
Subhash Thakrar, chief of the Asian Business Association who was the chief guest, said Gujarat represented an ideal centre for investment opportunities and suggested that Gujarat government should bring stability to the process of investment to enable overseas companies to invest successfully. Bureau Report