annual report1-final.qxd - Overseas Indian

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
of Maharashtra were the time zone position of the
BSE, which started functioning from 6 a.m. in the
morning, two major ports, and three international
airports at Mumbai, Nagpur and Pune.
It was stated that Maharashtra and/or Mumbai
was the most favoured destination for investors.
The investor need not view its investment here as
charity. Instead, it would be for high returns by
virtue of highest productivity, positive work culture,
no language barriers and continuity and consistency
of the State Government’s trade policy. The
World Bank, in its latest study, had assigned
Maharashtra the 42nd rank for the best investment
climate in the world, it was pointed out. The State
Government had now proposed to provide special
incentives in the following thrust areas: physical
infrastructure, housing, economic growth and
social infrastructure.
Investors were assured of good governance in
terms of minimal time and hassle-free processing.
Subash Ghai invited NRIs to invest in his proposed
International Institute for Entertainment in
the State.
Q&A
! Gopi Duani (of Mumbai origin) from Boston
sought information about healthcare.
! Another NRI pointed out that non-conventional
energy sources like solar energy were still
unexplored in India. He was informed that wind
power was being tapped and 7-8 MoUs in this sector
had already been signed.
! Atul Tumdikar (of Nagpur origin), running
the Global Singapore Educational Foundation in
Singapore, enquired about the
prospects of similar ventures in
and around Nagpur. He asked
Ghai if the latter was arranging
any summer camps for acting for
kids.
! Memon from Saudi Arabia
complained about production of
formula films and requested for
making cleaner films to avoid
drastic censor cuts by the Saudi
THE greatly
improved
climate for
trade in West
Bengal was
highlighted
Arabian authorities.
! To a query by Vijay, an NRI, regarding job
opportunities in the entertainment media sector, it
was informed that many more TV channels were
soon to be launched.
! Govardhan Singh from Canada suggested
that the standards of Indian films could be
improved by tie-ups and co-productions with
Western film producers.
! Yatin Shah from the U.S. mentioned about a
stay order by a court on a real estate venture in
Mumbai by some foreign investor and sought further
information. He was told that, though the
Government had set up a committee to deal with it,
litigation could not be avoided as the aggrieved
party got impatient.
! Attention was drawn by Ananda V.
Wazalwar, from Hyderabad, a resident Indian, to
the question of Mumbai’s seismic vulnerability.
While admitting it, the threat was not perceived to
be serious enough to affect investment prospects.
! To a pointer by Ravi Mishra from the U.S.
regarding pollution and corruption in Mumbai, it
was claimed that Mumbai was one of the less polluted
cities and he was assured that due care would
be taken to avoid any corruption in future investment
offers.
" Rajasthan
Senior officials including ministers concerned representing
the Government of Rajasthan detailed the
investment opportunities available to the delegates.
The growing investment opportunities and
promotional policies undertaken by the
Government were explained. About 35 delegates
participated in the State briefing.
The prime areas of investment
explained by the officials included
agriculture, tourism, food
processing, biotechnology, herbal
cosmetics, gems and jewellery.
It was explained that, to promote
capital investment and
accelerated economic growth,
the Rajasthan Government had
set up the Economic Policy and
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