Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) have been a great source of pride for India as they have played a stellar role in the country’s growth and development story, said Kamal Nath, Minister of Urban Development & Parliamentary Affairs, while addressing the first plenary session on ‘India’s Growth and Development Agenda’ at the 12th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.
Nath said that in India growth has preceded the development of infrastructure. With the rise in the number of cities, urban infrastructure has not kept pace and has emerged as one of the biggest challenges. The Government has initiated a number of projects such as the construction of metro rail lines in many Indian cities and is also looking at ways to integrate it with intelligent transport system, he added.
Anand Sharma, Minister of Commerce and Industry, in his observations, said that India must focus on manufacturing and work towards making India a manufacturing hub. In the coming decade, almost 54 million graduates will look for job opportunities; hence it is necessary to significantly raise the manufacturing sector’s contribution to GDP to increase employment opportunities.
Sidharth Birla, President, FICCI, said that a positive environment is required to encourage expansion and creation of businesses. In recent times businessmen could be forgiven for not really believing if an overall setting conducive to business exists in India. Positive intentions of the government leaders as present here today, tend to get overshadowed by noise over substance. It is easy for the atmosphere to get sidetracked by media and civil society and activism. FICCI feels the urgent need for government, business and civil society to rebuild mutual trust. In addition, FICCI stresses on good governance which also includes predictable outcomes, tax equity and effective implementation.
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