Himachal: Investors’ meet to create environment for long term gains

SHIMLA: With just two days

left for Global Investment Meet 2019, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said his government is

looking at long term gains from the upcoming event.

“It's not just about mobilising private investments during the meet on November 7 & 8 but we are trying to create an environment for promoting Himachal Pradesh as a global destination. There can't be any other drive on employment generation than this one,” he told media persons on reaching Dharamshala, venue of the event. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the meet, being attended by 1,710 delegates—biggest consignment from UAE, beside Singapore, USA, Israel and Switzerland.

“We are confirmations from more than a dozen ambassadors of different countries and special teams from some countries reaching Dharamshala,” said the Chief Minister.

The UAE is also a global partner for the event.

Till now the state government has signed 583 Mous from eight core sectors envisaging an investment of Rs 82,000 Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur with top officials at site of Global investors meet on Tuesday

crore. Thakur admitted that Mous does not mean that this much investment has come to the state but state government views it as a positive move of the business groups to invest in the state which has geographical challenges, and infrastructure shortcomings.

“Well steps are already underway on improving connectivity,” he added.

The state having scare resources is looking at an opportunity to engage the private sector in the development, primarily tourism, agroprocessing, Ayush, renewable energy, wellness and manufacturing. He rejected the opposition Congress criticism on the mega-scale investment as he drew parallel about such events also hosted by Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and also propose by Punjab. Former Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal on Tuesday also viewed the investors meet as positive initiative asserting that once investments take shape, Himachal Pradesh will not require to raise more loans to run its affairs.

Union Minister for Railways and Commerce Piyush Goyal, MOS (Finance) Anurag Thakur are among those attending the meet, which will also be addressed by union home minister Amit Shah on November 7.