Bhopal, June 23 (Pervez Bari): Asian Infrastructure Development Bank, (AIIB), will collaborate in infrastructure development in Madhya Pradesh. In this regard, discussions were held between the state Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and AIIB’s President Jin Liquan, Vice President D.J. Pandiyan and other officers during CM’s China visit.
Madhya Pradesh Commerce and Industries Minister Mrs. Yashodhara Raje Scindia was also present on the occasion. Chouhan is on China visit since June 19.
According to an official spokesperson Chouhan informed about ongoing development works and progress made in Madhya Pradesh during last 12 years. He said that his government’s aim is to make Madhya Pradesh pioneer in the country in infrastructure development. The state government has taken several measures towards this. Discussions were held between Chief Minister Chouhan and AIIB office-bearers on the possibilities of collaboration in infrastructure sector. AIIB office-bearers evinced interest in working in state’s infrastructure sector.
China’s top leaders praise development strategies of MP
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister Chouhan on the third day of his visit to China met top leaders of China. He held meetings with the Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China, (IDCPC) and senior diplomat Song Tao and the Secretariat of the Communist Party and a member of the Political Bureau Zhao Leji. Both the leaders greatly appreciated people-oriented development strategies of Madhya Pradesh pursued in the last decade and showed keen interest in state’s development policies.
Tao is also working as head of the Communist Party’s International Liaison Department and has been member of the Communist Party of China since 1975. Department of International Relations of the Central Committee of Communist Party of China takes care of diplomatic relations with other countries and coordinates foreign relations with political parties. It is also responsible for fostering relationships with other political parties and strengthening diplomatic ties. Tao welcomed the Chief Minister and hosted lunch in his honour. Both the leaders had about two-hour discussions on numerous topics on various dimensions of development.
The Chief Minister informed Tao about the chief characteristics of Madhya Pradesh and elaborated about how its development strategies, policies and pro-poor programmes led to achievements in development. The Chief Minister informed about the steps and initiatives taken in last decade for empowerment of women, widening of irrigation facilities, increasing agricultural production, strengthening infrastructure and industrial development.
As Communist Party office-bearer Tao was enthusiastic to know about the organizational strengths of BJP, how its structure and functions. Chouhan explained to him in detail about the organizational strengths of BJP, its commitment to the prosperity of the poorest of the poor. He also invited Tao to the Global Investors Summit being held in October in Indore. The Chief Minister informed him that such summits take place in other states too. He said that Madhya Pradesh has opened a series of dialogues with young entrepreneurs.
Tao informed Chouhan about Communist Party’s priorities and future objectives. Tao praised the progress of agriculture in the state and appreciated the policies adopted for the same.
Meeting with Zhao Leji
Chouhan also met Zhao Leji, who is member of the Politburo of Secretariat of the Communist Party. He is also chairman of Shaanxi province’s People’s Congress Standing Committee. Zhao informed the Chief Minister the world’s most prominent leaders are welcomed in the Great Hall. He said that welcoming the Chief Minister and his delegation at the Great Hall is a moment of pride for Shaanxi.
CM participates Yoga session at Beijing
Meanwhile, on the occasion of International Yoga day, Chief Minister Chouhan participated in group Yoga session at China’s capital Beijing on June 21. Chouhan congratulated the people of China on International Yoga Day.
Chouhan practiced Yoga with offices of Indian Embassy and Chinese people. He said that Yoga joins people, their hearts and builds positive thinking. Practice of Yoga keeps mind and soul peaceful and happy. Yoga has no geographical limits. Entire world has adopted this Indian practice.
Business seminar
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that the innovative Make In India drive launched by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made business and trading easier. It is beginning of a new economic era in the country.
Addressing a business seminar on Invest in Madhya Pradesh at Beijing the Chief Minister highlighted the key advantages of investing in Madhya Pradesh. He also elaborated investment avenues in priority sectors.
Chouhan said that India’s GSDP is increasing at pace spurred by liberal investment policies. Its GSDP in the financial year 2016 touched impressive 7.6 percent. All Indian states are drawing benefits now. He said that Madhya Pradesh is an easily accessible central Indian state. Its GSDP is growing upward.
Elaborating the sound economic condition of Madhya Pradesh, Chouhan said that the state has been consistently revenue surplus since 2004 and has been able to maintain its GSDP in two digit. The growth rate in tax revenues is 17 percent. Listing the advantages of investment, he said that Madhya Pradesh is having world class investment friendly infrastructure. He said that the State has 230 developed industrial areas including micro and small medium enterprise and large industrial areas. This also includes Chinese Industrial Township at Pithampur in Dhar district.
About Chinese Industrial Township at Pithampur in Madhya Pradesh, Chouhan said that total area is 205 hectare including 135 industrial plots. He said that it is the best offer to Chinese investment companies from Madhya Pradesh.
Underlining the proposed incentives for prospective Chinese companies investing in the state, Chouhan said that entry tax exemption for seven years, exemption in the cost of land development, 100 percent exemption on stamp duty, 100 percent reimbursement of Value Added Tax and central sales tax for 10 years, 100 percent exemption on electricity duty for 10 years. He urged the business heads and executives to make up mind for investment saying that it will boost State’s economy while immensely contributing to state’s development process.
Chouhan invited the business community to Global Investors Summit to be held at Indore on October 22-23, 2016. (pervezbari@yahoo.co.in)