Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Narendra Modi today urged the young generation to lead the nation in its mission for becoming a global leader. While addressing the Young Entrepreneurs Meet, held at Ahmedabad as a precursor to the Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors' Summit (VGGIS) 2011, he said that Gujarat is bound to excel in all of the segments and the young entrepreneurs should try their best for creation of new-age Gujarat.
'In the next decade, the coastal belt of Gujarat will become the gateway to prosperity for the entire country. The state will become the second largest hub for ship-building in Asia after Korea,' he said.
Around 500 young entrepreneurs, from India & abroad as well, attended the meet. Elaborating that how Gujarat has redefined the growth, the Chief Minister said, 'Despite no change in administration, manpower & judiciary in last one decade or so, Gujarat has given new dimensions to growth. The momentum is so high that it has become a subject of debate for the budding entrepreneurs. Even with draught-prone zones & scarcity, the state has made miracle with agricultural growth rate of 9.6% in last decade & 12.5% in last five years.'
Asserting that there is no short cut for success, he expressed confidence that VGGIS is indicative of Gujarat's great vision & dream and we would materialize this dream at any cost.
According to him, in the 21st century, India will have to face fierce competition with China, but ultimately our nation will have an edge over its arch rival thanks to it democratic mechanism & fair judiciary. In this endeavor, contribution of the young generation will be crucial.
Outlining the potential for the development of tourism & service sectors in the state, the Chief Minister said, 'The 1,600 km long coastline in the state will act as an impetus for creation of new-age Gujarat and many modern cities are expected to come up along the seashore. Apart from that, Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, being developed with support from Japan, will also bring in prosperity in the state.'
While interacting with the participants, Shir Narendra Modi outlined the strategy for development of the small & medium scale units in the manufacturing sector and also for intellectual skill development among the entrepreneurs. 'Our Prime Minister has proposed to develop 500 skill development centers in the country. Against this, China already has 6,000 centers. But the state like Gujarat is committed to develop 2,000 such centers for manufacturing sectors and gradually, the number will be increased to 10,000'.
He also mentioned that Gujarat-based universities have signed 74 memorandum of understanding (MoUs) with around 29 foreign varsities for development of skill-set & human resources and application of advance technologies for the purpose. Commencement of long-distance educations programs through Bisag satellite is also meant for skill upgradation among the students.
Gujarat's pattern for betterment of tribal community is a perfect approach for the purpose & it has produced desired results, he added.
He also informed that Gujarat has proposed to keep labor laws as a state subject. The decentralized administration with assignment of powers to taluka level administration is other innovative approach adopted by Gujarat, he said.
He emphasized on the need for brand building among the SME sector saying that these units should also focus on quality with an aim of zero-defect manufacturing.
The Chief Minister informed that development of industries through incentives was never at the core of the government policy, but it provides conducive environment for growth.
Former Union Minister of State Shri Suresh Prabhu, who was also present at the meet, hailed the initiatives taken by the Chief Minister for the growth of Gujarat. 'By ensuring public participation in the process for progress, Shri Modi has really made a difference.'
A seminar on 'Enterprising Gujarat 2020 The Way Forward' was also organized by CII along with the meet. Dr. Vikram Chadhawal from Reliance Health Ventures, CII's Chairman for Gujarat chapter Shri Yatindra Sharma, Dalmia Cement MD Shri Punit Dalmia, Aries Agro ED Shri Rahul Mirchandani and Tarana Patel from Mamta Group took part in the seminar.
