The Minister further said "India is a major sourcing

region for the global retailers already and when it comes to agriculture we are second largest producer of foodgrains in the world, and second largest producer of fruits and vegetable in the world but in both harvest losses are a major issue." "We have tried to reduce the losses. We are in the process of establishing Food Parks, processing units - 45 of them. This is one sector besides Infrastructure, Pharmaceutical, IT, Manufacturing which is bound to grow in a big way in India." He said Tesco Chairman had met him and Tesco CEO would meet him shortly. "So have been chiefs of other major global retailers." The Minister said "there is a renewed and enthusiastic interest of investors in India. One can see the perceptible change because what we have been consistently saying as a government with abiding commitment to reforms agenda... Policies are cast in stone and now we want the investors to take necessary steps." "For the single brand, already there is much forward commitment. Six major proposals have already been cleared and five more are on the agenda which stand in principle approved." He said eleven states have already notified (in favour of FDI) and others will come. Stating India's growth this year would be 5.5 per cent, Sharma said "India will rebound to high growth" at the earliest. Referring to the National Manufacturing Policy adopted by the government, he said "it has the primary objective of raising the share of manufacturing from the low 16 per cent to 25 to 26 per cent in one decade and create 100 million skilled jobs in one decade. He said he had also met Lord Stephen Green, Minister of State for Trade and Investment. The Visa problems faced by Indian students was also discussed with the British government, he added.