400 NRIs may invest

The Sharjah Ramadan Festival is expected to fetch investments for Madhya Pradesh's ailing mining sector.

Sources told Business Standard some NRIs based in the Middle East had shown interest in the state's mining industry. A discussion in this regard took place recently between officials of the Sharjah Chambers of Commerce and industry and the state government.

The Indian Business and Professional Council is in talks with the Sharjah Chambers of Commerce. "We will use Sharjah as gateway to the US and the African nations. The idea is to tap investments from at least 400 NRIs," said Ivy Miller Chahal, state principal secretary (Gramodyog Department). Chahal claims to be the brain behind the state's Sharjah expedition.

"Mining is the core activity of the state, (but) the government is finding it difficult to attract investment since mining activities have been ignored," Chahal said.

There will be two sessions at the fair. The morning session would be for business while the evening session for cultural activities, Chahal said.

"We plan to showcase our rural products like Vindhya Valley spices and other products, besides designer wares, handicrafts, Maheshwari and Chanderi saris. We also want to display rickshaws at the festival," Chahal said.