'Surat to be next economic powerhouse'

Surat has the potential to be the alternative to Mumbai, said Chinubhai Shah, president, Gujarat Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI).

Addressing a gathering of leading businessmen from the region, Shah said, "The industrial development of the country is directly linked to the performance of Gujarat. Likewise, the performance of industries of Surat is extremely crucial for the development of Gujarat."

"Over the years, Surat has maintained its strong tradition of trade and industry, and accelerated the pace of industrial development. It has the potential to become an alternative to Mumbai, provided a proper infrastructure, including a top-class airport is developed here.

"The Centre has made budgetary allocation for upgrading several airports. It is our demand that the Surat airport be developed on an urgent basis," he said.

Shah also stressed on the need for developing a coastal highway. "While Surat and south Gujarat have developed by leaps and bounds, Saurashtra has missed the bus. A bridge, connecting Surat and Saurashtra, should be built that would make traveling much easier, save time, and enable balanced growth of industries in south Gujarat and Saurashtra," he added.

He stressed the need to develop a third railway line between Ahmedabad and Mumbai, adding.

But he acknowledge that it is not all rosy in the pharmaceutical industry.

"Several pharmaceutical companies have opted states such as Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Chhatisgarh, and Jammu & Kashmir. to Gujarat to avail the tax benefits. This would lead to closure of several small and medium pharmaceutical factories, and weaken the sector," he said.