The Hindu : Karnataka News : Pact with CII for economic growth renewed

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Feb 26, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka

Pact with CII for economic growth renewed

By Our Special Correspondent

BANGALORE, FEB. 25. In an effort to spur economic and industrial growth, the State Government and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) today renewed the memorandum of understanding they signed on March 15, 2000.

The Chief Minister, N. Dharam Singh, and the CII president, Sunil Kant Munjal, signed the renewed MoU at a meeting here. The focus of the meeting was private-public partnership, and the CII made it known that it would implement certain projects provided the Government gave it a mandate. The Government promised to support CII initiatives.

The CII has offered to bring in experts from within the country and abroad to work out a plan to develop backward regions of the State. The CII, Mr. Munjal said, wants to give ideas and help with the implementation of projects. It has launched six task forces — on drinking water supply, education, health, rural development, energy and tourism — and is implementing pilot projects in the country. It plans to set up 349 clusters, of which 50 will be "growth poles" and special economic zones. Bangalore, a knowledge capital, is among the growth poles.

Mr. Munjal invited the Chief Minister to participate in the CII's road show in the U.S., the objective of which is to persuade non-resident Indians to help in the development of the country.

Mr. Dharam Singh reiterated that the Government's priorities are to develop infrastructure and attract investments. The Government will hold road shows in metros and has invited the CII to be a partner. Bangalore, he said, is on a high growth path, and the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, has evinced interest in infrastructure development projects for the city, particularly the international airport. The airport, Metro Rail and the high-tech city projects will soon become a reality.

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