Gujrat : MORE SEZS NEEDED, LOOK AT CHINA’S PROGRESS: MODI
SEZs are here to stay and they can’t be wished away. This was the chief minister Narendra Modi elaborating on his vision for Gujarat during his inaugural address at Ahmedabad Science City on Thursday. The occasion was the opening of the exhibition ‘Discover Gujarat’ under the aegis of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors’ Summit. The exhibition showcases the growth potential of the state along with its socio-economic and cultural heritage. With the investors’ conference kicking off on Friday, Modi in his inaugural address said that the exhibition would help prospective investors from across the globe understand the state better. “I am looking at an empowered India and Gujarat has to lead the empowerment of the country by example,” the chief minister said. “Gujarat has to play the role of pacesetter for the rest of the country,” the chief minister said, adding that with the economy opening up, there was a strong need for developing global perspective and function accordingly.
As 21st century is being projected as the century of Asia in the global economic arena, he said that while China and India are globally being viewed as two of the most potential countries for investment in Asia, the environment in the country was a lot friendlier to investors than China. Emphasising on the development of more special economic zones (SEZs), Modi said that the robust growth of Chinese economy is largely a result of successful establishment of SEZs in that country. “SEZs have come to stay and they determine and impact the trends of global economy for decades to come, whether we want them or not,” he added. The century is heading towards an economic revolution and Indian economy stands to immensely benefit from the same, provided the policymakers make the right decisions, Modi said adding, “Whether they decide or not, Gujarat cannot and will not wait for development.” “With 1,600 km stretch of coastline, the state has strategic advantages from the port-led development process,” Modi said, adding that the state government is working towards developing complete support infrastructure to facilitate the functioning of these ports, being set up across Gujarat coastline.