Dignitaries at Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors Summit- 2013

Dignitaries at Inaugural Function

of

Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors Summit- 2013

Mr. Achalkumar Joti, Chief Secretary, Gujarat State.

Welcoming the top industrialist and representative from the various part of the world in 6^th Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit-2013 at Gandhi Mandir, chief secretary of Gujarat state Mr. Achalkumar Jyoti said, “In the 6^th global investor summit, we have largely focused on strategic partnership, research, knowledge sharing and youth empowerment” Under the leadership of Mr. Narendra Modi, the Vibrant summit has achieved tremendous success, he added.

Shri Adi Godrej, well-known business leader & president of CII congratulated the CM for his third electoral victory and said that this would ensure that Gujarat’s progressive policies and stability would continue. He praised Mr. Modi for his visionary leadership and mentioned that the Gujarat model was being emulated by many other states in India. Additionally, he praised Gujarat for making remarkable progress in Energy, Agriculture, Skill Development, Technology and Innovation. He said that he felt privileged to be associated with the VGGS.

Hon. Takeshi Yagi, Japan’s Ambassador to India said, “I’m truly impressed by the dynamism of India and its people. One of the important events of my tenure was my trip to Gujarat. It was a revelation to visit places like BRTS corridor, Sabarmati riverfront and the Gift city.”

He also spoke about two conferences focussing on High-Speed Railways and Urban Development Projects that will be jointly organized by the Government or Gujarat and the Japanese Government, in the future.

Patrick Brown, a Member of Parliament from Canada praised Mr. Modi’s leadership. He expressed hope that VGGS would help in increasing bilateral Trade between India and Canada and also hoped that it would lead to mutual growth.

Mr. Ron Somers President of the US-India Business Council congratulated Mr Modi for the progress made by Gujarat in the past 11 years.

He said, “A new benchmark has been set not just in India, but in the world and that benchmark is the fact that progress trumps politics. How many economies can boast of a double digit GDP?Gujarat is at the top of the list.”

Mr. Freddy Svane, Denmark’s Ambassador to India declared, “This is my 4^th visit to Gujarat. Gujarat is setting global standards, the world has high expectations from India, and these are being met in Gujarat.” Further, he spoke about Denmark’s collaboration with Gujarat in Green technology.

Shri Amitabh Kant (IAS), Chairman of the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor spoke of a different kind of energy in Gujarat. He said, “Gujarat is creating jobs, driving manufacturing and urbanization. In Dholera a new ultra-modern City will come up. The credit goes to the Gujarat team and the dynamic leadership of Shri Modi.”

Hon. Stewart Beck, Canada’s High Commissioner to India said that Canada was proud to be a partner country at Vibrant Gujarat. He spoke about the increase in the participation of the Canadian Delegation in the Vibrant Gujarat Summit. He recalled that while only three Canadian delegates participated in the first VGGS, today there were more than 200 Canadian delegates.

Ms. Patricia Hewitt, Chair of the UK-India Business Council spoke about Gujarat’s rapid progress and highlighted the fact that Gujarat was growing at a faster rate than China.

She expressed hope that a deeper relationship would be beneficial to both Gujarat and the UK. She said, “As we trade and invest together, we will create more jobs and ensure growth for the people of Gujarat and Britain. The world is talking about B2B and B2C, we are interested in B2G and G2B, Britain to Gujarat and Gujarat to Britain.”

Mr. Ratan Tata, praised Mr. Modi and said, “All credit goes to Narendra Modi for his vision, for setting high standards and for fostering unity in the government.”He pledged that the Tata group would invest 34,000 crore in Gujarat and expressed hope that Gujarat would continue to differentiate itself from other investment locations. Further,he commended the CM for making Gujarata vibrant destination and conducive to investment. He said, “I hope the world sees Gujarat as an outstanding example of what can be done when you have the desire to succeed. ”

Mr. R.C. Bhargava, Chairman, Maruti Suzuki said, “The government took up all requirements that a company like ours can need. People were given responsibilities and work started immediately.”He further said that he was looking forward to working in Gujarat.

Mr. James Bevan, Britain’s High Commissioner to India expressed hope for closer and deeper ties between Gujarat and Britain. He said, “There is a strong basis for a commercial partnership. Today we have more than 50 British Companies here.”He further expressed hope that the UK and Gujarat would partner in the fields of Education, science, Innovation and Renewable Energy.

Mr. Aditya Puri, MD of HDFC Bank, today said that Gujarat has achieved sustainable economic growth. Developing Gujarat will link Bharat and India. Gujarat has set an example for other states of India by providing 24/7 electricity, modern road network etc. The bank will open 250 new branches in the next 2 years, he added.

Hon. Nobuhiko Sasaki from the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry called Gujarat the most promising state for investment. The Japanese delegation consisted of more than 100 members.

The speeches were followed by an inspiring and invigorating address by Shri Narendra Modi who expressed hope that in the current atmosphere of gloom, Gujarat would be a ray of hope and would give a new speed to the journey of development.

Konstonten Markelov, Vice Governor of Astrakhan Region.

Huge delegation of Astrakhan region of Russia is on the visit of the Gujarat to participate in the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit-2013. Mr. Konstonten Markelov said that they are keen to form partnership with the Gujarat. With the help of Vibrant Gujarat, our region will get more partner in the India.