Can Chouhan be more successful than Gaur in foreign jaunts?

After unsuccessful visits to Sharjah, Singapore, Malaysia, the US, the UK, and Japan by former chief minister and current industry minister Babulal Gaur, government insiders have raised eyebrows at the proposed "Woo Investors" visits of his successor Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who is going to Singapore, Malaysia and Australia as part of the 'Destination Madhya Pradesh' programme, in December, jointly organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the MP Government. Chouhan has completed a year in office.

"So far no business trip of an ex-chief minister has yielded results," said a government source.

The state government has sanctioned more than Rs 4 crore 'in principle', which involves a foreign tour expenditure of Rs 1.5 crore. Principal Secretary (Department of Industries) OP Rawat was not available for comment.

"The list of companies mentioned during Gaur's UK and Chicago visit is a doubtful one and one is even less certain of the outcome of the discussion held. No documentary evidence exists on this," the source said.

When Gaur was chief minister, the rural industry development department had produced officials of Sharjah-based Embee International and claimed that the company had proposed to invest $6-8 million in Madhya Pradesh in setting up a 100 per cent export-oriented textile unit and readymade garment firm, golf courses, a specialty hospital, private university, silk and tourism. But the department of industries has now no clue.

A team of officials under Gaur claimed its US visit (September 25-October 1) was successful in attracting an investment in the power industry of Rs 5,000 crore, etc.

Senior industry officials had claimed that Gaur had successfully invited Biochoice Industries Ltd, Dubai, to invest in the Convention Centre (at Bhopal), multiplex and hospitality, Clearbrook Irvine Inc, US, to invest in integrated industrial park including residential and commercial facilities, etc.