Ficci to revive 'Destination Madhya Pradesh'

The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci) has taken over the Confederation of Indian Industry's (CII) programme "Destination Madhya Pradesh".

CII, in association with the state government, had organised "IntechMart" and "Destination Madhya Pradesh" at Khajuraho thrice during 1997-2002 to attract foreign direct investment, which failed to attract investment and faded into oblivion.

However, according to government sources, lacklustre attitude of bureaucrats, recession, financial strain and anti-industry comments made by the then chief minister Digvijay Singh that "power (electricity) was not necessary for him and his party to come back to power (retain office)," kept the investors away from the state.

Ficci has now overhauled the programme "Destination Madhya Pradesh" to organise an investors meet on similar lines at Khajuraho on February 16-17 to attract investors.

Although overhauled version of 'Destination Madhya Pradesh' is no different from the previous one, as many as 22 memorandums of understanding have been planned to be signed with various companies. Of them 11 are from power sector.

"Most of them are likely to be repeated," said a government insider on condition of anonymity. However, the state government is upbeat on the show.

"Fresh registrations to the programme have now been stopped since we are already expecting over hundred guests that include NRIs and domestic investors," Madhya Pradesh State Industrial Development Organisation Managing Director Praveen Garg.

Unlike earlier, when most of the industrialists sponsored the 'Destination Madhya Pradesh' at Khajuraho, the state government will pay for lodging and boarding (five star category hotels) and concessionary air-fare on a nominal registration fee of Rs 5,000.

Recently constituted State Industrial Advisory Council's first meet will also take place during the programme in Khajuraho.

The non-government members of the council Abhay Firodia, chairman, Force Motors Ltd, RS Goswami, president, MP Laghu Udyog Sangh, Rajendra S Lodha, BDO Lodha Pvt Ltd, Debu Bhattacharya, managing director Hindalco, Manoj Gaur, director, JP Industries, SP Oswal, chairman, Vardhaman Group, Kailash Shahra, chairman, Ruchi group will chalk out a roadmap for industrial growth in the state and finalise the amended industrial policy draft. On behalf of the state government, the chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will be present on both the days.

Khajuraho investors meet is a part of a year-long 'Destination Madhya Pradesh' which comprises a series of national and international roadshows culminating into a mega investors summit at Bhopal in October.