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Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), UP State Council organized its Annual Session and Stakeholder’s Conference on UP Rising – Plethora of Opportunities across sectors on Saturday, 16 March 2013, Lucknow.
Mr Ajay Shanker, Member Secretary, National Manufacturing Competitiveness Council, Government of India, the Chief Guest for the session said “UP is at the cusp of game changing transformation. Also, it has the late mover’s advantage like the East Asian economies. Let us use the tool of technology to work on Skills Development in empowering the young population here, give them income rather than degrees. UP should look forward to organic and incremental transformation and aim for success in labour intensive manufacturing.”
Mr Jawed Usmani, Chief Secretary, GoUP and the Guest of Honour for the session articulated Government’s commitment to solicit more investments in the state and assured all help to industry. He also informed that yesterday GOI has awarded SEZ (Special Economic Zone) status to the proposed IT City at Lucknow.
Mr Usmani further said “the 11,000 kms of Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor is perhaps most important for UP, we intent to use it as the fulcrum ground for the development of the state. The bouquet of fresh policies announced by the government are extremely inviting for the private sector. Together we can make UP the most preferred investment destination.”
Mr Jayant Davar, Dy. Chairman, CII Northern Region while delivering the opening remarks said that Uttar Pradesh is a very important State for India when we talk about agricultural growth, industrial growth, services sector, human resources and even political strength. The dream of double digit growth for India cannot be realized unless the growth of this state gains further momentum.
On this occasion, Mr Alok Saxena, Chairman, CII UP State Council in his welcome remarks said “Uttar Pradesh on account of its population of 200 million is not only the largest and most important state of India but also the largest consumer market of the country. All inclusive development of such an extensive state is extremely important for the development of the country. Development of the State’s economy and resultant purchasing power in turn benefits the industrial establishment of the entire country.”
Eminent industry speakers addressed the panel discussion which was organized by CII to churn out ideas to strengthen industrial growth and prosperity in the state.
Mr Rajesh Srivastava, Chairman & MD, Rabo Equity Advisors suggesting the reforms for strengthening the agriculture sector in the state said “UP government should promote aggregation centers / bodies for agriculture produce which shall also disseminate market information to the farmers. Leasing company models should be explored and the state should also re-calibrate state agriculture marketing board / mandis.
Mr Harsh Chitale, CEO and Whole time Director, HCL Infosystems said “We are on the verge of having broadband penetration. Affordable computing will outsell laptops and it’s the generation of cloud computing. These three things have opened up new sectors for the state of UP, they being – Inclusive Growth and Governance, Tele-medicine and Education. Also our learning has been that states that have invested in IT itself are the states where IT industry has found itself.”
Mr Sanjay Agarwal, Principal Secretary – Infrastructure & Industrial Development, GoUP said “We have framed a clear roadmap for infrastructure and industrial development and execution is the priority of the government. He said that UP is the only state where we have two state authorities working for the infrastructure development of the roads and together these authorities have already cleared 4 projects worth 3600 crores. Feasibility study for 7 projects worth 7129 crores have already been done. Pre-feasibility study for 6 is in anvil. The feasibility report of the Agra-Lucknow expressway will be ready by 31st March.
The forum was well-attended by over 150 delegates from the government, industries, corporate and institutes from areas in and around Uttar Pradesh.
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