Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Vibrant Gujarat 2011: State may get 1/3rd of India's GDP in two days
AHMEDABAD: Over the next two days, India will see its industry pledge investments in one state that may add up to $450 billion, or one-third of the country’s GDP . Top names from Corporate India will announce projects they plan to start in Gujarat at the two-day Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit beginning Wednesday.
When the CEOs rise, one after the other, to commit investments at the fifth edition of the summit, a few hundred crores will look like small change and only those in multiples of thousands of crores will generate an applause.
“Seldom have incoming dollars been so shocking,” remarked a B-school faculty when Indian companies committed 12.44 lakh crore in January 2009, the peak of global recession. The economics professor with Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad was not surprised at doubts over the actual number of projects getting off the ground, but said, “Even if 10% of these investments materialise, it is still a big number”.
Since the first summit in 2003, the state has bagged investments worth $370 billion. Critics have been dismissive of these figures and term the agreements or memoranda of understanding a hype created by one man who aspires for the nation’s top post.
100% rise in investments expected
Chief Minister Narendra Modi came up with the idea of an investment summit to divert attention from the 2002 communal carnage that claimed 2,000 lives in Gujarat. The first summit attracted proposals worth Rs 66,068 crore. The figures kept multiplying since then: Rs 1 lakh crore in 2005, Rs 4.6 lakh crore in 2007 and Rs 12.44 lakh crore in 2009. This time, there may be a 100% rise and the host, the chief minister, has once again tried to take the focus away — this time from investments to knowledge-sharing.
“We want to highlight investment opportunities in the country as a whole, not just Gujarat. If you don’t want to invest in Gujarat, you can think of Orissa, or may be Karnataka, but stay in India,” says Modi, who was described as prime minister material by industrialists such as Bharti Group Chairman Sunil Mittal and ADAG Chairman Anil Ambani .
The public statements coming from the industry captains further endeared Modi to businesses who agree with the state’s USPs such as investment climate, proactive government machinery, good roads, uninterrupted power supply and a 1,600-km coastline, the longest in the country.
The Vibrant Gujarat model, now being replicated by states such as Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh, thus helped in Modi’s image makeover — from a Hindutva hardliner to a state CEO. This year, the industry chieftains will return — the Ambani brothers, Tata Group Chairman Ratan Rata, Godrej Group Chairman Adi Godrej, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd Vice-Chairman & Managing Director Anand Mahindra , Larsen & Toubro Chairman & Managing Director AM Naik, Aditya Birla Group Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla, ICICI Bank Managing Director & CEO Chanda Kochhar, Britannia Industries Managing Director Vinita Bali, former ICICI Bank MD & CEO KV Kamath, and Bharti Group Chairman Sunil Mittal. Adding glam quotient would be Bollywood actors Preity Zinta, Anupam Kher, Paresh Rawal and Manoj Joshi.
The big-ticket investments during the current summit would be by Reliance Industries , Adani Group and Essar.
It was the same platform from where Ratan Tata famously said, “You are stupid if you are not in Gujarat” , and subsequently, in 2008, relocated the Nano project to Sanand near Ahmedabad from trouble-torn Singur in West Bengal.
The Rs 2,000-crore project has acted more as an image booster for the state among business houses than bringing any real economic gains. If Tata’s gesture was not enough, Modi quickly roped in Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan as the state’s brand ambassador to hardsell Gir lions and Kutch’s salt desert.
Modi’s attempt to breathe life into Gujarat’s non-existent tourism is working and tourists are gradually coming in, but his claims on investments continue to be questioned. Opposition leader Shaktisinh Gohil of the Congress has claimed that a mere 5% of investments proposed in 2009 summit have materialsed so far. Lavasa developer Hindustan Construction Company signed a Rs 40,000-crore MoU for a water city near Dholera in 2009.
“The company is yet to visit the site. Similarly, Hotmail founder Sabeer Bhatia promised to set up a Rs 30,000-crore Nano City , but has not proceeded anywhere,” he claims. Gohil has even demanded a joint legislative committee to probe into the alleged irregularities behind the gala event and alleges the state’s energy sector in the state has become an epicentre of corruption. “There is no progress on any of the 31 MoUs signed in the 2009 summit that promised to invest Rs 2,11,895 crore,” he says.
The state government routinely defends the allegations on inflated investments saying these are long-term projects and may take between three and six years to come up. To further silence the critics, the state has set up a website with updates on the status of each project. Of the Rs 12 lakh crore committed in 2009, 43.27% investment has already come to the state, while of the Rs 4 lakh crore promised in 2007, 68.7% has been invested, officials tell ET.
Independent observers, who refused to be drawn into the inflated investment charges, say the event has facilitated land-grabbing by corporate houses. An academician specialising in infrastructure says, “The state needs to be transparent in such transactions considering land-grabbing by industrialists is a major area of concern.” He believes that ongoing agitations by locals against large projects such as Nirma (in Bhavnagar) and Adani (in Mundra) could play spoilsport.
But the state government says investment plans coming through Vibrant Gujarat are streamlined. The projects are monitored at every juncture and help is provided to the promoter, a claim that was accepted by a plastic pipe maker who recalls receiving phone calls from the state government every month and says government agencies are prompt in clearing hurdles. “A transparent policy along with good infrastructure has drawn investors to the state,” adds Minister of State for Industry Saurabh Patel.
Karnataka Principal Secretary VP Baligar oversees a similar event in his state and asserts that the southern state was the first to devise such a model in 2000. “When you sign an MoU at such a forum, you make a public commitment. Owing to the format, the state keeps such proposed projects on fasttrack,” he says.
The 2010 summit in Karnataka drew close to Rs 4 lakh crore in investments. A marketing expert too says the summit has evolved into a ‘special channel’ to enable industries enter Gujarat. The projects signed during the event are viewed as having the blessing of the leader of the state, a special privilege that few industrialists would want to miss, he says requesting anonymity.
Indeed there are few who would like to miss the corporate congregation. “All flights to Ahmedabad from the evening of January 11 to January 12 and the night of January 13 to January 14 are packed,” says Sanjeev Chhajer of Cox and Kings, a travel operator.
With all roads leading to Mahatma Mandir, the event venue in the capital Gandhinagar, the state machinery has ensured that Gujarat looks very a much part of the globe. The hullabaloo of vendors is missing as the entire state police force gets on road.
With participants from close to 100 countries expected to be present at the inauguration on January 12, those in the hospitality industry are working round-the-clock to accommodate them.
And for those who may not make it, information is available on BlackBerrys and iPhones.
Vibrant Gujarat 2011: Tata group to partner state in providing rural transport
AHMEDABAD: Heaping praises on Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's leadership for not only driving industrial growth but also boosting rural development, Ratan Tata on Wednesday said his Group will partner the state in providing transportation into the hinterlands.
"The leadership of Narendra Modi has proved that Gujarat is not only seeing industrial growth but is also witnessing rural development," Tata said at the 5th Global Summit of Vibrant Gujarat here. The Tata group has signed an MoU with the Gujarat government to provide rural transportation, he added.
This will be in addition to the ongoing rural initiatives such as skills development activities, sanitation and water projects where the group is already a partner.
"Today the group has a total investment in the excess of Rs 30,000 crore (in Gujarat) and employs 50,000 people directly and several more indirectly. I am here to say that the investments will continue as we move forward," Tata said.
Group firms like Tata Chemicals, TCS, Tata Power, Tata Teleservices are already investing in the state. "...and of course the most visible one is Tata Motors for the Tata Nano," Tata said, while thanking Modi for the swift action that led to the setting up of the small car plant at Sanand in the state.
"When we had to withdraw from Kolkata (Singur) and were looking for a location which was safe, We had offers from many states and of course one from Mr Narendra Modi. He promised to confirm the allotment of land within a few days and the few days became three days," he recalled.
Tata Motors had shifted its manufacturing base from the original location at Singur in West Bengal to Sanand in Gujarat in October 2008 following violence and political opposition.
Source: PTI, 12 Jan, 2011, 12 Jan, 2011, 01.48PM IST,
"The leadership of Narendra Modi has proved that Gujarat is not only seeing industrial growth but is also witnessing rural development," Tata said at the 5th Global Summit of Vibrant Gujarat here. The Tata group has signed an MoU with the Gujarat government to provide rural transportation, he added.
This will be in addition to the ongoing rural initiatives such as skills development activities, sanitation and water projects where the group is already a partner.
"Today the group has a total investment in the excess of Rs 30,000 crore (in Gujarat) and employs 50,000 people directly and several more indirectly. I am here to say that the investments will continue as we move forward," Tata said.
Group firms like Tata Chemicals, TCS, Tata Power, Tata Teleservices are already investing in the state. "...and of course the most visible one is Tata Motors for the Tata Nano," Tata said, while thanking Modi for the swift action that led to the setting up of the small car plant at Sanand in the state.
"When we had to withdraw from Kolkata (Singur) and were looking for a location which was safe, We had offers from many states and of course one from Mr Narendra Modi. He promised to confirm the allotment of land within a few days and the few days became three days," he recalled.
Tata Motors had shifted its manufacturing base from the original location at Singur in West Bengal to Sanand in Gujarat in October 2008 following violence and political opposition.
Source: PTI, 12 Jan, 2011, 12 Jan, 2011, 01.48PM IST,
Investor summit: Gujarat gears up with 30 MNCs, 16 nations
Courtsey news via Indo-Asian News Service, January 12, 2011
Gandhinagar : From an event to garner investments for the state to an international platform for global business investments, the fifth Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors' Summit 2011 begins Wednesday with participants from 30 MNCs and 16 countries.
The two-day biennial event, which will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Narendra Modi, is being held at the new Mahatma Mandir erected at a cost of over Rs. 100 crore in this state capital.
Representatives from nearly 30 MNCs, 16 countries and 19 Indian states will showcasing their wares and participate in a broadsweep of workshops and seminars to discuss investment opportunities.
The new convention centre, spread across a 60,000 sq metre area, has a seating capacity of 5,000.
The theme of this year's event is to make Gujarat a "Global Business Hub", an official spokesperson said.
With Japan and Canada as country partners and multi-national and Indian corporate heads marking their attendance, the summit will have 18 focused areas. They include chemicals and petrochemicals, engineering and automobiles, environment technology, financial services, agro and food processing, gems and jewellery, healthcare, knowledge, mines and minerals, ports and shipbuilding and related industries, tourism and urban development.
All these sectors will be covered through seminars.
The tone for the main event was set with a line-up of events beginning Monday when the five-day International Kite Festival was flagged off on the Sabarmati riverfront in Ahmedabad.
Later in the evening, Modi also inaugurated a mega-exhibition in Gandhinagar, called the Global Manufacturing Technology Show (GMTS) to provide a platform to the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector.
Around 200 companies, 16 countries and 19 states are participating in GMTS, which ends Jan 18.
According to officials engaged in the planning and execution of the summit, the Gujarat government is pulling out all stops to better its record of memorandums of understanding (MOUs) worth Rs.12 lakh crore that were inked during the previous investor summit held at Ahmedabad in 2009.
According to sources, MOUs worth Rs.20 lakh crore are expected to be signed at the summit this year. The signing spree began Monday with 74 MoUs being signed at the round-table of academic institutions.
Delegates from 25 universities of nine countries discussed the possibilities of educational collaboration and exchange programmes.
Gandhinagar : From an event to garner investments for the state to an international platform for global business investments, the fifth Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors' Summit 2011 begins Wednesday with participants from 30 MNCs and 16 countries.
The two-day biennial event, which will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Narendra Modi, is being held at the new Mahatma Mandir erected at a cost of over Rs. 100 crore in this state capital.
Representatives from nearly 30 MNCs, 16 countries and 19 Indian states will showcasing their wares and participate in a broadsweep of workshops and seminars to discuss investment opportunities.
The new convention centre, spread across a 60,000 sq metre area, has a seating capacity of 5,000.
The theme of this year's event is to make Gujarat a "Global Business Hub", an official spokesperson said.
With Japan and Canada as country partners and multi-national and Indian corporate heads marking their attendance, the summit will have 18 focused areas. They include chemicals and petrochemicals, engineering and automobiles, environment technology, financial services, agro and food processing, gems and jewellery, healthcare, knowledge, mines and minerals, ports and shipbuilding and related industries, tourism and urban development.
All these sectors will be covered through seminars.
The tone for the main event was set with a line-up of events beginning Monday when the five-day International Kite Festival was flagged off on the Sabarmati riverfront in Ahmedabad.
Later in the evening, Modi also inaugurated a mega-exhibition in Gandhinagar, called the Global Manufacturing Technology Show (GMTS) to provide a platform to the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector.
Around 200 companies, 16 countries and 19 states are participating in GMTS, which ends Jan 18.
According to officials engaged in the planning and execution of the summit, the Gujarat government is pulling out all stops to better its record of memorandums of understanding (MOUs) worth Rs.12 lakh crore that were inked during the previous investor summit held at Ahmedabad in 2009.
According to sources, MOUs worth Rs.20 lakh crore are expected to be signed at the summit this year. The signing spree began Monday with 74 MoUs being signed at the round-table of academic institutions.
Delegates from 25 universities of nine countries discussed the possibilities of educational collaboration and exchange programmes.
Anil Ambani's Reliance commits Rs 50,000 cr investment in Gujarat announced in Vibrant Gujarat 2011
AHMEDABAD: Anil Ambani today said his Reliance Group will invest Rs 50,000 crore in Gujarat in the next 5-7 years on various projects as the firm looks to tap opportunities in the state.
"We are committing to invest Rs 50,000 crore in the state of Gujarat in gas-based and coal-based power projects in the next 5-7 years", Ambani said while speaking at the 5th Global Summit of Vibrant Gujarat here.
He said the investments would include very large investments in the cement sector in areas like Kutch, Porbandar and Junagadh.
Already the group firm Reliance Power has undertaken development activities at Bharuch in Gujarat, where it is setting up a gas-based 8,000 MW power plant.
"I want to say that the group will play a meaningful role in driving the change and transformation happening in Gujarat," he added.
Source: PTI, 12 Jan, 2011, 12.39PM IST,
"We are committing to invest Rs 50,000 crore in the state of Gujarat in gas-based and coal-based power projects in the next 5-7 years", Ambani said while speaking at the 5th Global Summit of Vibrant Gujarat here.
He said the investments would include very large investments in the cement sector in areas like Kutch, Porbandar and Junagadh.
Already the group firm Reliance Power has undertaken development activities at Bharuch in Gujarat, where it is setting up a gas-based 8,000 MW power plant.
"I want to say that the group will play a meaningful role in driving the change and transformation happening in Gujarat," he added.
Source: PTI, 12 Jan, 2011, 12.39PM IST,
Vibrant Gujarat 2011: Adani group announces Rs 80,000 cr investment
GANDHINAGAR: Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani today announced Rs 80,000 crore investment in ports, power sector and infrastructure in Gujarat at the fifth edition of Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2011 (VGS) here.
He, however, did not specify the timeline for the investments.
"On the occasion of VGS we announce an investment of more than Rs 80,000 crore in port, power generation and infrastructure in Gujarat," Adani said, while speaking at VGS.
"While two new ports -- one each at Hazira and Dholera are being developed we are also expanding the existing ports at Mundra and Dahej. With this we have a goal to create 200 million tonnes per annum of port handling capacity by the year 2015," he said.
"In power generation while we have commissioned 2,000 MW at Mundra, additional 2,600 MW will be commissioned by March 2012. Further we are also building 3,300 MW at Bhadreshwar in Kutch, 600 MW at Dahej and 4,000 MW at Dholera SIR," Adani said adding all the above power plants shall be completed to create a capacity of 15,000 MW by 2015.
"As an integrated infrastructure conglomerate we are also developing LNG terminal, infrastructure parks, supporting railway lines and supporting facilities," Adani said.
"Projects of more than Rs 35,000 crore for which we had signed MoUs at the time of Vibrant Gujarat Summit in 2007 and 2009 have been fructified," he added.
Source: PTI, 12 Jan, 2011, 12.39PM IST,
He, however, did not specify the timeline for the investments.
"On the occasion of VGS we announce an investment of more than Rs 80,000 crore in port, power generation and infrastructure in Gujarat," Adani said, while speaking at VGS.
"While two new ports -- one each at Hazira and Dholera are being developed we are also expanding the existing ports at Mundra and Dahej. With this we have a goal to create 200 million tonnes per annum of port handling capacity by the year 2015," he said.
"In power generation while we have commissioned 2,000 MW at Mundra, additional 2,600 MW will be commissioned by March 2012. Further we are also building 3,300 MW at Bhadreshwar in Kutch, 600 MW at Dahej and 4,000 MW at Dholera SIR," Adani said adding all the above power plants shall be completed to create a capacity of 15,000 MW by 2015.
"As an integrated infrastructure conglomerate we are also developing LNG terminal, infrastructure parks, supporting railway lines and supporting facilities," Adani said.
"Projects of more than Rs 35,000 crore for which we had signed MoUs at the time of Vibrant Gujarat Summit in 2007 and 2009 have been fructified," he added.
Source: PTI, 12 Jan, 2011, 12.39PM IST,
Vibrant Gujarat 2011: Essar Group commits Rs 30,000 cr investment
AHMEDABAD: Diversified conglomerate Essar Group today said it will invest Rs 30,000 crore in Gujarat for projects in various sectors, including power and refinery.
"Essar has committed to invest in Gujarat Rs 30,000 crore in power, refinery, ports and water infrastructure," Essar Group Chief Executive Prashant Ruia said here during the 5th Global Summit of Vibrant Gujarat .
He, however, did not specify the timeline for the investments but said the earlier investments committed by the group in the state have been executed.
Essar Group is a major player in the port sector in Gujarat. Its ports and terminals business operates a crude oil and petroleum products terminal at Vadinar in the state.
The group is also constructing a dry bulk port at Hazira and a coal jetty at Salaya, all in the state. A 14 MTPA petroleum refinery at Vadinar which started commercial production on May 1, 2008.
Besides, it also operates a 515 MW gas-based power plant at Hazira.
Source: PTI, 12 Jan, 2011, 12.39PM IST,
"Essar has committed to invest in Gujarat Rs 30,000 crore in power, refinery, ports and water infrastructure," Essar Group Chief Executive Prashant Ruia said here during the 5th Global Summit of Vibrant Gujarat .
He, however, did not specify the timeline for the investments but said the earlier investments committed by the group in the state have been executed.
Essar Group is a major player in the port sector in Gujarat. Its ports and terminals business operates a crude oil and petroleum products terminal at Vadinar in the state.
The group is also constructing a dry bulk port at Hazira and a coal jetty at Salaya, all in the state. A 14 MTPA petroleum refinery at Vadinar which started commercial production on May 1, 2008.
Besides, it also operates a 515 MW gas-based power plant at Hazira.
Source: PTI, 12 Jan, 2011, 12.39PM IST,
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Himachal News : Sirmaur Royal property dispute settled
News via Himachal.us posted by Ravinder Makhaik, Thursday, January 6th, 2011
Shimla: At the best of High Court here, the erstwhile royal family of Sirmaur decided to amicably settle a 23 year old property dispute, putting to an end a long series of litigation pending before the high court’s of Himachal Pradesh and Uttrakhand.
The dispute pertained to the estate of Amar Parkash, the former Maharaja of the princely state of Sirmaur who died in 1933. By the rule of primogeniture and impartibility of estate, his eldest son Maharaja Rajendra Prakash succeeded him.
British paramountancy lapsed after the Independence of India in 1947 and with accession of Sirmaur State into the dominion, properties held by Maharaja Rajendra Prakash as a ruler were divided into two categories as state properties and private properties.
Maharaja Rajendra Prakash became absolute owner of the private properties vested in him as ruler of Sirmour State as recognized by the President of India under Article 363 of the Constitution of India.
Maharaja Rajendra Prakash died in 1964, after which his properties devolved upon his heirs who were, his mother Rajmata Mandalsa Devi, his wives Maharani Durga Devi and Maharani Indira Devi and daughters Raj Kumari Nalini Devi and Maharani Padmini Devi of Jaipur.
With Rajmata Mandalsa Devi, Maharani Durga Devi, Maharani Indira Devi and Raj Kumari Nalini Devi having died ,the agricultural properties of Maharaja Rajendra Prakash falling in Uttarakhand have already been divided between Maharani Padmini Devi and Maharaj Kumar Udai Prakash, who is an adopted son of Maharani Durga Devi thorough a compromise.
A suit was filed before the High Court in 1987 and since then was taken up for consideration from time to time. The matter was sought to be resolved through mediation, however, all parties did not agree.
While this case has been disposed of as not maintainable by Justice VK Sharma, a compromise was arrived at between the parties in another connected suit involving the properties of Maharaja Rajendra Prakash and Maharani Prem Lata Devi, sister of Maharaja Rajendra Prakash.
This has put an end to several litigations pending in various Courts in Himachal Pradesh as well as in Uttarakhand.
Shimla: At the best of High Court here, the erstwhile royal family of Sirmaur decided to amicably settle a 23 year old property dispute, putting to an end a long series of litigation pending before the high court’s of Himachal Pradesh and Uttrakhand.
The dispute pertained to the estate of Amar Parkash, the former Maharaja of the princely state of Sirmaur who died in 1933. By the rule of primogeniture and impartibility of estate, his eldest son Maharaja Rajendra Prakash succeeded him.
British paramountancy lapsed after the Independence of India in 1947 and with accession of Sirmaur State into the dominion, properties held by Maharaja Rajendra Prakash as a ruler were divided into two categories as state properties and private properties.
Maharaja Rajendra Prakash became absolute owner of the private properties vested in him as ruler of Sirmour State as recognized by the President of India under Article 363 of the Constitution of India.
Maharaja Rajendra Prakash died in 1964, after which his properties devolved upon his heirs who were, his mother Rajmata Mandalsa Devi, his wives Maharani Durga Devi and Maharani Indira Devi and daughters Raj Kumari Nalini Devi and Maharani Padmini Devi of Jaipur.
With Rajmata Mandalsa Devi, Maharani Durga Devi, Maharani Indira Devi and Raj Kumari Nalini Devi having died ,the agricultural properties of Maharaja Rajendra Prakash falling in Uttarakhand have already been divided between Maharani Padmini Devi and Maharaj Kumar Udai Prakash, who is an adopted son of Maharani Durga Devi thorough a compromise.
A suit was filed before the High Court in 1987 and since then was taken up for consideration from time to time. The matter was sought to be resolved through mediation, however, all parties did not agree.
While this case has been disposed of as not maintainable by Justice VK Sharma, a compromise was arrived at between the parties in another connected suit involving the properties of Maharaja Rajendra Prakash and Maharani Prem Lata Devi, sister of Maharaja Rajendra Prakash.
This has put an end to several litigations pending in various Courts in Himachal Pradesh as well as in Uttarakhand.
Canadians to form single biggest group at Vibrant Gujarat 2011
News via DNA Correspondent, Place:Gandhinagar, Published: Sunday, Jan 9, 2011.
Delegates from Canada, a partner country for the Vibrant Gujarat Summit-2011, will comprise the biggest single group at the biennial event, senior state government officials said. Around 30,000 people, including corporate honchos, business leaders and delegations, will take part in the business summit, of which around 1,000 will be foreigners.
People from as many as 70 countries have confirmed their participation at the mega event which will be held on January 12 and 13 at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar.
Government officials said Canadian delegates will comprise the largest single group of more than 100 people at the event.
Canadian Friends of Gujarat, an organization in Canada, is bringing a delegation of 44 people headed by MP Patrick Brown.
Mukund Purohit, co-chairperson of the organisation, said six other MPs from Canada are also part of the delegation.
The Canadian government is sending another delegation of around 40 people which will be headed by Nicolas Lepage, consul and senior trade commissioner, western India.
Officials said that many companies from British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario and Manitoba provinces of Canada who are keen to set up businesses in Gujarat, are also taking part in the Vibrant Gujarat summit. A large number of Canadian companies will also sign MoUs with the state government during the event.
The officials further said that Japan, another partner country for Vibrant Gujarat Summit-2011, is also bringing a large delegation of around 70 people. More than 35 delegates are coming from Australia. Participation from the US will also be quite strong, mainly because of the large NRG presence in that country. Many US-based NRGs are coming on their own. The number of delegates from the US and the UK is also going to be very high.
A good number of delegates are also coming from South Africa, Singapore and some European countries. Delegates are also coming from places such as Netherlands, Botswana, Bhutan and Cambodia, among others.
"Vibrant Gujarat Summit-2011 is going to be a truly global event as delegates from all six continents will be participating at the event. During the earlier editions of Vibrant Gujarat summit, only Gujarat was pitching for investments. This time, other countries and states will also be able to woo investors, taking the event to a different level altogether," said a senior government official.
Delegates from Canada, a partner country for the Vibrant Gujarat Summit-2011, will comprise the biggest single group at the biennial event, senior state government officials said. Around 30,000 people, including corporate honchos, business leaders and delegations, will take part in the business summit, of which around 1,000 will be foreigners.
People from as many as 70 countries have confirmed their participation at the mega event which will be held on January 12 and 13 at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar.
Government officials said Canadian delegates will comprise the largest single group of more than 100 people at the event.
Canadian Friends of Gujarat, an organization in Canada, is bringing a delegation of 44 people headed by MP Patrick Brown.
Mukund Purohit, co-chairperson of the organisation, said six other MPs from Canada are also part of the delegation.
The Canadian government is sending another delegation of around 40 people which will be headed by Nicolas Lepage, consul and senior trade commissioner, western India.
Officials said that many companies from British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario and Manitoba provinces of Canada who are keen to set up businesses in Gujarat, are also taking part in the Vibrant Gujarat summit. A large number of Canadian companies will also sign MoUs with the state government during the event.
The officials further said that Japan, another partner country for Vibrant Gujarat Summit-2011, is also bringing a large delegation of around 70 people. More than 35 delegates are coming from Australia. Participation from the US will also be quite strong, mainly because of the large NRG presence in that country. Many US-based NRGs are coming on their own. The number of delegates from the US and the UK is also going to be very high.
A good number of delegates are also coming from South Africa, Singapore and some European countries. Delegates are also coming from places such as Netherlands, Botswana, Bhutan and Cambodia, among others.
"Vibrant Gujarat Summit-2011 is going to be a truly global event as delegates from all six continents will be participating at the event. During the earlier editions of Vibrant Gujarat summit, only Gujarat was pitching for investments. This time, other countries and states will also be able to woo investors, taking the event to a different level altogether," said a senior government official.
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