Maharashtra
CM's Visit to
US
MIF
Gets Strong Response
from Investors
& Funds
Chief
Minister Vilasrao
Deshmukh's eight-day
visit to the United
States started
on June 27 in
New York, with
attending a seminar
of MIF (Maharashtra
Investment Forum)
2007, the first
of its kind to
be organized by
any state from
India in the US.
The conference,
held in New York,
was attended by
more than 250
delegates.
Several panel
sessions were
planned to enlighten
the delegates
of the investment
opportunities,
strengths of the
State. They were
also apprised
of the measures
taken to address
the critical issues
those were highlighted
during the panel
discussions. The
subjects for panel
sessions included
Strengths of state
and investment
opportunities
in the areas of
SEZs, Infrastructure,
Knowledge-Based
industries, and
manufacturing
industries. One
session also focused
on how the investors
view India and
what are their
expectations from
State Governments.
The Speakers from
the State Delegation
assured the delegates
that the State
is firmly behind
the investors
and is committed
to provide fast
track implementation
of the project
and ensure that
the infrastructure
will keep pace
with the demands
of the investors.
The Forum generated
lot of interest
in investor's
community - portfolio
Investors as well
as Funds. The
success of the
Forum will be
measured not only
by the investors
setting up plants
in the State but
the FDI flow into
the State in various
projects undertaken
in Infrastructure,
SEZs, Various
domestic companies
undertaking green
field and brown
field projects
in the State.
After the forum
was over, Investors
had one on one
meeting with various
sponsors. The
initial feedback
is very encouraging.
Round
Table Conference
with Ratan Tata
The much awaited
Round Table conference
with Ratan Tata,
chairman of the
Tata Group took
place on the second
day of Chief Minister
Vilasrao Deshmukh's
US visit.
Tata called upon
the Government
to ensure that
there is a balance
growth across
the State. It
is necessary to
take steps to
ensure that all
the people across
the State, whether
residing in urban
or rural areas
need to reap the
benefits of development,
he said, adding
that this can
be done by ensuring
that adequate
opportunities
are created in
agro processing,
service sectors
including logistics,
retail and areas
other than IT.
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 a human face.
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, Deshmukh
said.
V.K. Jairath,
Principal Secretary
(lndustries) told
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 a
focused approach
for infrastructure
development, special
policies to promote
agro-based industries,
retail, entertainment
etc.
Meeting
with Bill Gates
Chief Minister
Vilasrao Deshmukh
met legendary
Bill Gates of
Microsoft in Seattle
and spent more
than an hour with
him. Gates listened
to the proposals
from the State
delegation in
which Microsoft
and state government
can work together.
Following areas
were identified
where MICROSOFT
has agreed to
help the state
government. These
include: School
Management Software;
Unicode Standardisation;
Land Record Application
Enhancement; and
Microsoft Unlimited
Potential Program.
Besides the above
areas, MICROSOFT
has agreed to
work together
with Concerned
departments of
Government for
developing software
that will help
disseminate information
to farmers in
improving price
realization and
productivity as
also for developing
software to implement
the policy initiative
of setting up
Labour Market
Information Cell.
To strengthen
the relationship,
the company announced
to set up its
third facility
in India in the
State at Hinjawadi.
Meeting with Boeing
Chief Carson.
Chief Minister
Vlasrao Deshmukh
also met CEO &
President, Scott
Carson of Boeing
at the Head Office
in Renton, Washington
State on 28th
June. Carson said
that the Maharashtra
Government had
been fully supportive
of Boeing in its
MRO project in
the state at Mihan
SEZ in Nagpur.
MIDC
Sings Pact with
Vornado Realty
Trust
on Hinjawadi Township
MIDC and Vornado
Realty Trust,
USA. signed a
shareholder's
agreement at the
Metropolitan Club
in New York City
in the presence
of Chief Minister
Vilasrao Deshmukh.
This agreement
paves the way
for an investment
of around US$200
million over a
period of five
years at Hinjawadi
for the development
of an integrated
township to provide
walk to work culture
for software professionals
working in MIDC's
IT parks.
Vornado is famous
for creating world
class infrastructure
and is credited
with creating
the globally renowned
Crystal City in
Washington DC
and the Bloomberg
towers at New
York. Vornado
Realty Trust is
the third largest
real estate investment
trust in the US.
