During a week-long visit to South Africa, Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna held meetings with President Jacob Zuma and other prominent leaders and called for investments in Uttarakhand.
Bahuguna also attended the 106th conference of the African National Congress (ANC) and had an exclusive half-an-hour meeting with the South African President at Bloemfontien. During the meeting, Bahuguna apprised Zuma of the investment opportunities offered by the hill state and presented him a memento of Uttarakhand.
Both the leaders shared their experiences of democratic societies and struggle faced by their people for liberation and independence. Zuma expressed his gratitude to the Indian people and government for always supporting South African solidarity and playing an important role in the anti-apartheid movement.
Earlier, Indian High Commissioner Virendra Gupta hosted a dinner in honour of Bahguna in Pretoria, where prominent Indian businessmen were also present. Bahuguna took the opportunity to invite the Indian business community to invest in Uttarakhand.
He stated his government’s commitment for overall development of the state, also called as the “Switzerland of the East”. He elaborated upon the opportunities being offered by his government in the proposed Sitarganj Industrial estate which is also known as “the Sidcul Phase 2” and a revised hill policy for industries.
He also presented literature related to the investment opportunities and achievements of his government during last nine months and also a Coffee Table Book to the Indian High Commissioner. The Indian High Commissioner assured Bahuguna that he would try his best to attract investments for Uttarakhand from South Africa. In a luncheon meeting with the Premier of free state province of South Africa, Ace Magashule, at Bloemfontien, Bahuguna invited the Premier to visit Uttarakhand and explained to Indian businessmen the benefits of investing in Uttarakhand as an attractive destination in India.
Bahuguna also held meetings with the top leaders of the ANC and dignitaries from across South Africa including Ramaphosa Cyril, Baleka Mbete, Mantashe Gwede, Duarte Jessie, Mkhize Zweli.
