US declined to be partner for TN investors' meet: official

A senior official of Tamil Nadu government today said the United States had declined to become partner in the southern state's first global investors summit, conceived on the lines of Vibrant Gujarat Summit.
"Tamil Nadu Global Investros Meet will have Japan as a partner, while we are also approaching France, the UK, Korea, Malaysia and Singapore. Our teams are in Germany, Canada, Taiwan, Abu Dhabi and USA. Taiwan has specifically declined to become a partner. USA has also declined, saying it cannot become a partner at an investors summit with a state," Tamil Nadu additional chief secretary, industries, C V Sankar said.

When pointed out that US was partner country in this year's Vibrant Gujarat Summit, he said, "That is because the Prime Minister invited them."
Sankar and state industries minister P Thangmani were here to promote the summit, to be held on May 23 and 24.
Tamil Nadu also planned to develop ports on the lines of Hazira in Gujarat, he said.
The summit's focus would be on the energy sector. The state was expecting investment of around Rs 1 lakh crore during the summit, he said.

"Tamil Nadu's MoUs will be a legal document, where the industries and government will have to mention the investment details," he said.

Asked about the 'face' of the summit, Sankar, while not naming former Chief Minister Jayalalitha, said "Honourable Madam".
Hans Raj Verma, principal secretary of Tamil Nadu's environment and forest department, said the state would also promote aero-space industry. "Aero-space industry is going to boost the Make in India concept. Tamil Nadu has high engineering talent. It is an ideal state for the aviation sector," Verma said.
Gujarat-based Adani group was likely to invest in Tamil Nadu, Verma added.