The
Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today launched the Make in India initiative
with an aim to give the Indian economy global recognition.
Addressing a gathering consisting of top global
CEOs at the event in Vigyan Bhawan in the capital, the Prime Minister said
"FDI" should be understood as "First Develop India" along
with "Foreign Direct Investment." He urged investors not to look at
India merely as a market, but instead see it as an opportunity.
The Prime Minister said it is important for the
purchasing power of the common man to increase, as this would further boost
demand, and hence spur development, in addition to benefiting investors. The
faster people are pulled out of poverty and brought into the middle class, the
more opportunity will there be for global business, the Prime Minister said.
Therefore, he said, investors from abroad need to create jobs. Cost effective
manufacturing and a handsome buyer - one who has purchasing power - are both
required, the Prime Minister said. More employment means more purchasing power,
he added.
The Prime Minister said that India is the only
country in the world which offers the unique combination of democracy,
demography, and demand. He said the new Government was taking initiatives for
skill development to ensure that skilled manpower was available for
manufacturing. He also referred to the Digital India mission, saying this would
ensure that Government processes remained in tune with corporate processes.
The Prime Minister said he had felt a mood of
gloom among India`s business community in the last few years, due to lack of
clarity on policy issues. He said he had heard even Indian businessmen say that
they would leave India and set up business elsewhere. The Prime Minister said
this hurt him, and added that no Indian business should feel a compulsion to
leave the country under any circumstances. He said on the basis of the
experience of the last few months, he could say that the gloom has lifted.
The Prime Minister gave the example of the new
Government`s initiative on self-certification of documents, and said this was
illustrative of how the new Government trusted the citizens. The Prime Minister
said trust is essential for investors to feel secure. Let us begin with trust;
if there is an issue, Government can intervene, he said. The Prime Minister
said trust too can be a transformative force.
Shri Narendra Modi said development and
growth-oriented employment is the government`s responsibility.
The Prime Minister noted that India ranks low on
the "ease of doing business" and added that he has sensitized
Government officials in this regard. He also emphasized the need for
"effective" governance.
To the expression "Look East," the Prime
Minister added "Link West", and said a global vision was essential.
He said Mission Swachh Bharat and "waste to wealth" could lead to
good revenue models for business as well. He referred to his vision of waste
water management and solid waste management in 500 towns across India through
public private partnership.
The Prime Minister also spoke of infrastructure of
the future – including i-ways besides highways – and mentioned port led
development, optical fibre networks, gas grids and water grids.
The Prime Minister also unveiled the Make in India
logo, and launched the website makeinindia.com
PIB
