Vibrant Gujarat Summit begins, UN Secy Gen, world leaders attend

GANDHINAGAR :  Vibrant Gujarat Summit began here  today with Chief Minister Anandiben Patel calling upon world  investors to look towards her state and expressed the hope that  the Summit would become a trend setter for Prime Minister Narendra
Modi’s ‘Make in India’ Campaign.
Several leaders of foreign governments including Prime Minister of Bhutan Tshering Tobgay, US Secretary of State John Kerry and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, besides captains of industry from across the world are participating in the Summit.    Inaugurating the 7th edition of the Summit, the mega global investment event of the state, the Gujarat Chief Minister said she wanted the state to become an education and healthcare hub and described agriculture, food and dairy sectors as very important for the state.
Earlier, she welcomed the Prime Minister and other foreign dignitaries.
She expressed thanks to the foreign leaders for attending the Summit. Ms Patel said it was for the first time that the UN Secretary General was attending any business meet in India.    The UN Secretary General in his remarks referred to the vision of the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi and said he continued to be inspiration for all. He called for pooling all resources and efforts to meet 2015 millennium development goals.     Mr Ban visited Sabarmati Ashram to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.
World Bank President Jim Yong Kim called for reforms in tax and subsidy as very vital for India meeting its goals of poverty eradication.
The US Secretary of State also addressed the Summit. Condemning the killing of cartoonists in Paris, he called for solidarity to face the menace of terror so that it never came in the way of freedom.
He called for making Mr Modi’s ‘Make in India’ initiative as an opportunity for all in the world.    Mr Mukesh Ambani of Reliance Group announced that his company would invest one lakh crore in Gujarat.    Several countries like the US and Canada have become a partner countries of the Vibrant Gujarat Summit.  (AGENCIES)