WITH THE signing of seven more MoUs and nine expressions of interest (EoI), the total proposed investment figure went up to Rs 39,334 crore at the Khajuraho Investors’ Meet, which concluded on Wednesday.
Of the seven MoUs, four are in power with total investment of Rs 22,700 crore. This takes the total investments proposed to Rs 37,350 crore in the power generation sector alone during the meet. The other three MoUs are in tourism (hotels), education and training sectors.
Summing up the session, the CM reiterated his appeal that he had made recently at Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas to the investors to contribute in forms of skills, knowledge and expertise. “Wealth would flow automatically”, he added, inviting the participants to join the Global Summit in October.
Later, addressing newspersons, the Chief Minister termed the Khajuraho meet as the first step towards investment journey.
It has opened gate to both domestic and global investors, and help the State reach its projected growth of 15 per cent.
On being reminded that in the recent global summit in Gujarat, the Narendra Modi Government got investment proposals to the tune of Rs 4.5 lakh crore, Chouhan admitted that MP is far behind Gujarat.
{{/usCountry}}On being reminded that in the recent global summit in Gujarat, the Narendra Modi Government got investment proposals to the tune of Rs 4.5 lakh crore, Chouhan admitted that MP is far behind Gujarat.
{{/usCountry}}“Its (Gujarat’s) one-third population is NRI and that state has a port. These factors give Gujarat an edge over other states”, he pointed out.
The CM said apart from the meet, his recent foreign tour has also helped in letting outsiders know that MP is prepared to receive investments in a big way.
On power sector, Chouhan said unlike in the past when agreements were based on power purchase, his government would provide land, water and coal linkage to power companies and 30 per cent of the sale of power would be on the basis of regulatory authority”, he explained.
Regarding the small-scale industries, Chouhan claimed that statistics revealed that this sector has improved in the last two years. “We’re forming a federation of self-help groups to provide credit linkage”.
Speaking to Hindustan Times, State Planning Board vice-chairman Dr Sompal Shastri said now the Chief Minister is not making announcements, but announcing concrete decisions.
Terming the meet as a watershed, he said a majority of the MoUs signed here would fructify. Scope for investment would increase once investors are aware of MP’s potentials.
dghose@hindustantimes.com