COMMENTARY
INTERVIEWS
SPECIALS
CHAT
ARCHIVES

Patel, Mehta draw up plans to promote mega projects in Gujarat

Gujarat Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel has sought the Centre's permission to utilise the spare fiscal resources of cooperative sectors for various projects involving infrastructure of the state.

Patel apprised Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha on Thursday of the huge reserve funds being held by the cooperative banks of the state. Sinha said he would soon hold a joint meeting with representatives of the Reserve Bank of India, the Gujarat government and cooperative banks of Gujarat on the issue.

Patel also met with Union Aviation Minister Ananth Kumar and demanded the speedy development of Ahmedabad International Airport. He had discussed about the extension of the present runway and other facilities at the airport.

Kumar said the project would cost Rs 320 million and would commence from next month.

Patel emphasised that the airport should be included in the national project of development of five major international airports of the country.

Gujarat Industries Minister Suresh Mehta on Friday announced that 158 proposals, mainly related to infrastructure and other sectors, involving an investment of more than $ 272 million will be discussed and finalised during Intechmart Gujarat 98 , to be held in Ahmedabad from December 4 to 6.

Mehta said a master plan was being prepared keeping in view the state's needs of infrastructural development in the year 2010.

Special efforts are being made to secure investment from Non-Resident Indians through package of incentives and facilities, he revealed.

Over the years, the face of Gujarat has undergone an inimitable transition from an agriculture to an industrial base. The state which today occupies the second place on industrial map of the country, is distinguished as harbinger of the industrial revolution, he said.

''The state today has a host of new industries including petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, dyes and intermediatories, fertilisers, electronics, ceramics, agro-based industries, engineering goods, plastics, ship building and ship breaking, diamond cutting and polishing, and drugs,'' he said.

''A massive investment is expected in the industrial sector before the close of century. Emerging priority areas are agro-based industries, electronics and export-oriented industries,'' he observed.

UNI

Business news

Gujarat