Manama: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said the Narendra Modi government was firmly committed to bring back growth and has clear policies to facilitate business environment in India.
Addressing around 400 delegates comprising overseas Indians as well as business and industry leaders from Bahrain at the Diaspora Engagement Meet here on Saturday, Sushma Swaraj stressed on the need to make the overseas Indians a part of this development agenda.
"Our government is firmly committed to bring back growth, have clear policies which will facilitate business environment, transparency and speed, well thought out decisions. The result is there before you in just 100 days. GDP growth is showing early signs of recovery. Our focus is growth with good governance and transparency with eye on manufacturing, infrastructure and trade," she said.
Welcoming the Indian diaspora, she said: "Come to India, set up industries and join our dream of growth. Things are changing in India and you will experience in engaging with us.”
"The Prime Minister of India, in Japan already said that there will be no red tape, there will be a red carpet,” she added.
The meet was organised by the Overseas Indian Facilitation Centre (OIFC). Sushma Swaraj arrived here on a day-long engagement.
Addressing the conference, Kamal Bin Ahmed, Minister of Transportation and acting Chief Executive of the Bahrain Economic Development Board, said that Sushma Swaraj choosing Bahrain for the first visit to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region underlines the value and importance of Bahrain's relations with India.
He said Bahrain will further support the goals outlined by the OIFC and focus on further strengthening bilateral trade.
"The opening of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) office in Bahrain will further facilitate bilateral trade and investment. India is one of the key emerging markets and has been one of the strongest bilateral trade partners of Bahrain,” he said.
Prem Narain, Secretary in the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, and OIFC chairman, said: "India and Bahrain have had strong trade relations but now is the time for business leaders from both sides to explore new opportunities and sectors for bilateral trade promotion.”
"A focused initiative like the Diaspora Engagement Meet is another step in this direction to strengthen the mutually beneficial engagement with Global Indians in Bahrain,” Narain said.
The OIFC signed two agreements with the Bahrain Economic Development Board and the Bahrain India Society, and called for structured engagement with the Indian diaspora in Bahrain to link them with the India growth story.
A series of focused presentations on sectors like healthcare, medical tourism, pharmaceuticals, food processing and agri-infrastructure, highlighted the business opportunities between India and Bahrain.
Kerala presented the state's initiatives for NRIs through NORKA-Roots. A discussion on policy framework to facilitate investments and economic engagement with India led by the Reserve Bank of India and leading banks, was a hallmark of the programme.
For the first time, the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) participated in an overseas meet organised by the OIFC.
The DIPP shared with the audience the new policy framework for investment in India as well as iconic infrastructure projects like the Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC).
eBiz, an ambitious project of the DIPP which aims to get all procedures, clearances on a common platform, received much appreciation.
The OIFC was established in 2007 with the objective of supporting the Indian diaspora connect better with India and assisting them in deepening their economic and intellectual engagement with India.
