Santosh Koshy Joy
A day before the inauguration of the Vibrant Gujarat Summit in Ahmedabad on January 10, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met some of the top global CEOs and discussed industry issues and investment opportunities with them.
In his meeting with Toshihiro Suzuki, Representative Director & President, Suzuki Motor Corp, the two “discussed Maruti Suzuki’s plans to make India a strong player in the global automotive market by exporting Made in India vehicles, along with deploying global best practices related to vehicle scrapping and vehicle recycling into India,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a post on X.
In another post on X, the PMO said, “Mr. Sanjay Mehrotra, the President and CEO of Micron Technology, held a meeting with PM @narendramodi in Gandhinagar. They discussed Micron’s efforts to enhance the semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem in India.” US chipmaker Micron has started construction of a $2.75-billion semiconductor factory in Sanand, about 40-km from Ahmedabad. The plant is expected to be ready by December this year.
The Prime Minister also met Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman & CEO of DP World. The two discussed DP World’s plans to further bolster investment in India, especially pertaining to creating sustainable, green, and energy-efficient ports, and world class sustainable logistic infrastructure.
The Dubai-based logistics company operates five container terminals in India — two in Mumbai, one each in Mundra, Cochin and Chennai.
PM Modi also met Keith Svendsen, CEO of AP Moller, besides having a meeting with Prof Iain Martin, ViceChancellor of Deakin University.
Historic roadshow heralds new era in India-UAE relations
AHMEDABAD: In a grand display of diplomatic camaraderie, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan led a historic roadshow in Ahmedabad, heralding a new era in India-UAE relations.
Aligning with the 10th Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, the event underscored the burgeoning strategic partnership between the two nations.
Stretching over three kilometers, the roadshow was not just a spectacle of friendship but also a testament to the strengthening bilateral ties. Agreements in key sectors like renewable energy, healthcare, and green ports were signed, paving the way for a future of collaborative growth and mutual prosperity.
The roadshow’s impact reverberates beyond bilateral realms, showcasing India’s rising influence in Middle Eastern geopolitics. India’s independent foreign policy and strategic partnerships, such as with the UAE, emphasise its role in shaping regional dynamics.
The event in Ahmedabad goes beyond mere diplomatic niceties, signaling a deeper, more strategic collaboration between India and the UAE. It’s a partnership that not only strengthens bilateral ties but also has significant implications for regional and global diplomacy.
Record number of MoUs signed
MUCH before the lights illuminated Gandhinagar for the 10th Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, Gujarat witnessed signing of 234 MoUs for proposed investments that added well over Rs 10.3 lakh crore.
A record-of-sorts was created by the signing of 58 MoUs on a single day (January 3) with an anticipated investment totalling Rs 7.17 lakh crore.
If the investments pledged for the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2022 be included, the total investment expected would be of Rs 42.59 lakh crore, reported a national daily on January 4. The 2022 edition had to be postponed in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Investments have been pledged in different sectors. Altogether, 40,694 projects in 20 different sectors have been pledged, generating 34.62 lakh employment opportunities. Power and oil &and gas sector received the highest investment, followed by chemicals, petrochemicals, engineering, auto, information technology (IT), biotechnology, and urban development.
Additionally, 32,884 MSME projects with an investment of Rs 1.19 lakh crore have been signed, itself creating 4.98 lakh employment opportunities Several MoUs were signed by Central PSUs such as National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), Power Finance Corporation (PFC), Power Grid Corporation, ONGC, HPCL, IOCL, and state Government enterprises like Gujarat Industries Power Company and Gujarat State Electricity Corporation.
Many private enterprises also signed MoUs for investments in various sectors in Gujarat, reports quoted the Government.
