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Gulf investors invited to Gujarat meet

AHMEDABAD — The Gujarat government has invited investors from Arabian Gulf countries to take part in the “Vibrant Gujarat” global investors’ summit to be held in the state capital of Gandhinagar on January 12 and 13.

A delegation comprising senior government officials and industrialists has just returned after visiting the UAE, Oman, Qatar and Egypt to brief the prospective investors about the biennial conference and opportunities it offers in the progressive state which boasts India’s longest coastline extending up to 1,600 kilometres.

It met and invited a number of investors, business leaders, corporate houses, academic leaders and policy makers. Gujarat officials also had meetings with prominent companies like Crescent Petroleum, Emerge Invest, Abu Dhabi Investment Gate, National Bank of Abu Dhabi, MB Holding Company, Oman Oil Company, Oman Zawawi Investment, Bahwan Engineering Company, Saud Bahwan group, Hawar Group and Zubaid Corporation.

The Gujarat delegation was led by Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation Managing Director Tapan Ray. Several government officials and top executives from leading business houses from various sectors were also a part of the team.

Gujarat government spokesman JN Vyas told Khaleej Times that the state was targeting the Middle East countries for a good flow of investments as Gulf investors were gradually withdrawing themselves from the US and Europe owing to unfavourable political conditions there in the past few years.

According to him, many Gulf countries have moved to Malaysia and other south-eastern Asian countries but since their economies are not as big and vibrant as India, he said, Gujarat stood a fair chance.

“Gujarat has many positive points like the sea link, ready infrastructure for industries like chemicals and petrochemicals, oil and gas, ports and port-led development, real estate and financial services,” Vyas said.

The Gujarat government has launched a portal offering single-window online registration facility for investors, besides a software support system that enables them to spot suitable land for the purpose in the state.

mahesh@khaleejtimes.com