Batting for Vibrant India

From ease of doing business to the creation of right infrastructure, Gujarat has managed to get the right mix to make it a favourable investment and business destination.

Gujarat as a State has tremendous potential both naturally as well as physically. Being well connected by rail and road is an added advantage although air connectivity needs improvement. Its well-equipped ports are a tremendous boost for industries in the State.

Gujarat´s positive power bank gives it the edge over other Indian States to attract industries. Also the recent ASSOCHAM report reflects that the State has a lion´s share of about 29 per cent amid top 20 major States attracting combined investments. Gujarat definitely ranks high as a potential State to attract investments and thus industries.

The Special Investment Region (SIR) which was introduced by Gujarat way back in 2009 is a very progressive thought and it reflects the vision of the government of Gujarat. By giving SIR status, the Gujarat government proposes to develop the investment region as global hubs of economic activity supported by world class infrastructure, premium civic amenities, centres of excellence and proactive policy framework. This model, if implemented fully in the stated timeframe, will be a big boost not only for the State but for India in terms of attracting a wide range of industries.
JR Tanti, Managing Director, Aspen Infrastructure Ltd

Gujarat rates high on ease of doing business, procedural streamlining and use of IT to facilitate infrastructure development.
I feel that the special investment zone model works very well. It works excellently in a country like China that thrives on manufacturing. India also has been trying to adapt itself to a similar model for a while but the best part about Gujarat is that they have been able to roll out the concept and make at par with the best in the world. As more and more companies outsource manufacturing and services to India, especially after the thrust from the Central government on ´Make in India´ and ´Served from India´, it is going to be imperative to offer world class infrastructure and political will to promote industrialization. Gujarat has managed to do both efficiently. Hence I feel that the Gujarat model of development is the most favourable way to attract investments in the country- from within and outside.

What Gujarat thought yesterday, India thinks today to give you an example – Dholera, the first smart city in India that Egis is associated with, was planned a few years back and it is a model project for the proposed 100 smart cities. Gujarat´s vision and policies are the most favourable in the country for business; Gujarat has more than once shown the ability to attract investments in the State that other States have not been successful in doing. So I think that the Gujarat model should be showcased; since it has worked for Gujarat, it could well work for the rest of the States too.
Ashish Tandon, MD, Egis in India

Gujarat has one of the best infrastructure facilities available for industries. It has a fine blend of a number of ports, road network, rail connectivity and airports. With the longest coastline in the country measuring 1,600 km connected with 42 major and minor ports, the transportation of goods is easier. Comprehensively, if we look at the development in Gujarat, certainly it ranks among the foremost States in India. Continuously, the State focused on creating strong network of different aspects of infrastructure and it has become a fertile ground for the development of industries. The State has done pioneering work in engaging the private sector in building its infrastructure and many greenfield projects. Development-friendly policies and responsive administration remain the hallmark of the State. Gujarat has also been among the first few States to recognise the importance of soft infrastructure. The State has taken up private sector participation and institutes such as ITIs, promoting skills development, or encouraging attracting school enrolments. In comparison with the growth of IT hub States, the development of soft infrastructure needs further improvements.

In the Gujarat model of development, especially initiation of unique development undertaken by the State, the Special Investment Region (SIR) model marks a new era of planned development. It is an inclusive model with emphasis on rural development alongside industrial growth. It is pro-growth, business-friendly and aims at balancing regional development. The SIRs with their unique value-proposition will help to bring in large global organisations into India, providing these global companies an alternative production location and a platform to produce and supply for the world market. However, several policy measures are necessary to moderate and accelerate growth in the SIR model by way of mixture of encouraging EPC companies and PPP investors for forward growth.

Gujarat State has already illustrated the vision and policy document 2022, in which very essential and focused inclusive growth objectives are identified, such as 24×7 electricity for all, a pollution-free State through creation of green infrastructure, public transportation which is efficient and reliable, rural infrastructure, affordable housing facilities, road connectivity and adequate sources of potable water.

Rishabh Sethi, Executive Director, SPML Infra Ltd

Gujarat certainly ranks amongst the foremost States in India. The State has always focused on creating a strong network of different components of infrastructure. The State has done pioneering work in engaging the private sector in building its infrastructure. Take Pipavav, for instance; which has the distinction of being the first greenfield port in India to be developed successfully via the PPP route. Home to some of the finest institutions in the country, Gujarat has also been among the first few states to recognize the importance of soft infrastructure. Be it through revamping the ITIs with private sector participation, promoting skills development, or encouraging school enrolments. Development-friendly policies and responsive administration remain the hallmark of the state.

The Special Investment Region (SIR) model marks a new era of planned development. It is an inclusive model with emphasis on rural development alongside industrial growth. It is pro-growth, business-friendly and aims at balancing regional development. The SIRs with their unique value-proposition will help to bring in large global organisations into India. Providing these global companies an alternative production location and a platform to produce and supply for the world market. Prakash Tulsiani, Managing Director – Gujarat Pipavav Port Ltd, APM Terminals, Pipavav

Gujarat has always ranked high on physical infrastructure. The gap in ´Knowledge Infrastructure´ (ICT, Education etc.,) appears to have been narrowed during the past one decade.

Gujarat model of growth, in the core of it, (in my opinion) focused on correcting the basics. Jyotigram Yojana brought 24×7 rural electricity in rural areas. The program Gunototsava focuses on improving quality of education not just in a few elite schools but all across the State. Other programs such as Girl Child Enrollment drives, programs for women and child health, assured drinking water through river linking, development of quality urban infrastructure are some of the aspects which makes Gujarat´s basics right. These coupled with good governance and secure and safer environment which Gujarat offers, define the basic foundations of Gujarat Model of development.

These are sufficient conditions for attracting large scale investments, from both local and global entrepreneurs and ensure Gujarat´s double digit growth record to continue for the next two decades.

´Sustainability´ and ´Integrated Infrastructures´ are two terms which define the vision and give directions to the policies towards long term development. Gujarat, with its forward looking energy policy, has been focusing on energy and environmental sustainability. This has to spread across the sectors to make Gujarat´s growth globally competitive.

Professor HM Shivanand Swamy, Executive Director, Centre of Excellence in Urban Transport (COE-UT), CEPT University, Ahmedabad

Press Releases
Mundra International Container Terminal handles one million TEUs in 2014
First Container Terminal in Gujarat to join the million club
Mundra International Container Terminal (MICT) has hit the one million TEU (twenty foot equivalent units) annual container throughput milestone for the first time. From handling twenty thousand TEUs in its first year of operations in 2003, MICT has achieved the landmark while pioneering the container revolution in the Kutch region and emerging as the gateway for the North and the North West regions of the country.

Tejas Nataraj, Chief Executive Officer, MICT, said: ´This remarkable achievement means that MICT has carved a place for itself in the premier ranks of the global container market.´

´Customer service is central to everything we do and we constantly invest in infrastructure, equipment, technology and training to increase our operational efficiency and ensuring a fast turnaround of vessels. We service over 55 vessels and more than 160 trains a month with over 30 crane moves an hour. The confidence of our partners, the local community and our customers has helped us achieve this remarkable growth and we hope to continue this success while delivering world-class service to our clients.´

MICT is one of the most sophisticated and technically advanced port facilities on the Indian Subcontinent with its strategic location, hinterland connectivity and on-dock rail facility attracting shipping lines calling along the Indian coast. It regularly upgrades its IT systems and equipment to keep them comparable with the latest developments in the industry with employee skills developed by an Operator Training facility. An active programme of engagement with the local community and stakeholders is also a feature of its drive to promote sustainable business practices. MICT has won numerous national and international awards including the ´Port of the Year´ Award at The Gujarat Awards 2014; Best Container Terminal Asia (Under 1 Million TEU category – Cargo News Asia).