After the conclusion of the first day of the Maharshtra Investment Forum, the much awaited Round table conference with Mr. Ratan Tata took place today. |
The session began with Mr. Vilasrao Deshmukh introducing Mr. Ratan Tata to the eagerly awaiting audience of 40 delegates which comprised of the CEOs of leading investment bankers as well as Industrialists. Mr. Deshmukh informed the gathering that he was grateful that Mr. Ratan Tata agreed to fly in specifically to participate in the first of its kind investor forum by any State in US. It speaks volumes of the partnership that the State enjoys with the investors. He said Tata is the proud recipient of Maharshtra Bhushan Award, which has special place in Tata's heart. |
Mr. Tata lauded the State as the number one state in India. He said that his group has most of its operation in the State. He expressed satisfaction over the fact that under the leadership of Mr. Deshmukh the State is taking proactive measures to resurrect it and retain its tradition of being the first one to launch innovative measures. However he sounded a note of caution that the present Government will have to put in extra efforts to compensate for the inaction on the part of earlier Government in addressing the issues of stretched infrastructure and lack of incentives. He also desired that the Government need to ensure that the balance growth across the State. He felt that it is necessary to take steps to ensure that all the persons across the State whether in Urban or in rural area need to reap the benefits of development. This can be done by ensuring that adequate opportunities are created in agro processing, service sectors including logistics, retail and areas other than IT. He felt that it is also necessary to ensure that the growth does not get slowed down on account lack of adequate skilled persons. |
The participants also expressed the need to address the issues of regional imbalance, inadequacy of infrastructure and the availability of skilled workforce. |
Mr. Deshmukh assured that his government is fully seized of the issues concerning the investors and his government has already initiated short term as well as long term measures to tackle these issues. He said that it is the policy of the Government to ensure that there is all inclusive growth and the common man does not feel left out. The Government believes in Development with Human Face. Although this may sometimes slow down the pace of development, the Government is committed to ensure that the infrastructure keeps pace with the development. The measures initiated on this front necessitate tremendous investment and it in this context the State has come to enlighten the investors of the opportunities that exist for investment in the State. |
Mr. Jairath, Principal Secretary(industries) informed the gathering that the Industrial, investment and Infrastructure policy of the State Government has been evolved taking into account the various concerns highlighted during the discussions. It envisages focused approach for infrastructure development, Special policies to promote Agro based industries, retail, entertainment etc. He also informed the initiatives taken by the State to address the HR issues such as setting up of Labour market information cell as well as State's partnership with Industry to provide customized solutions to Industry's HR requirement by making available the infrastructure. |
He said the Government is responsive to the requirements of the investors and hence has provided the annual review of the policy. |
The conference concluded with the appeal by the Chief Minister to all the investors to join hands with Government in realizing its dream of developing Maharashtra as Asia's most competitive manufacturing and services hub, with Mumbai ranking amongst the world's top 5 financial centers. |