MoUs mere expressions’ of interest: Anil Patel
Much hyped memorandum of understandings, claimed by the state government as success of the state sponsored Vibrant Gujarat event, are now termed as mere "Expressions of interest".

The minister of state for industry, Anil Patel during the Siddhi yatra in Baroda on Saturday had only investment figures of the government to boast upon but no actual industrial production and growth figures at the end of Modi government’s one year.

Mr Patel on Saturday said, "The government received 76 expressions of interest of which some are MoUs also. With this there is the possibility of investments up to about Rs 66, 000 crores in the state." Yet, the industry minister did not declare the numbers of MoUs. Mr Patel also confirmed that the proposed investments are not purely foreign direct investments but they are in association with the local investors and the proportion of foreign agencies could be about 25 per cent.

Mr Patel giving an account of total investments made by the state government said that Rs 16 crores have already been invested till October ‘03 in infrastructure and it aims to make Rs one lakh crores investment in infrastructure in next five years. Yet, the industry minister had no statistical information on the actual industrial output and growth rate for the same period. "Investments is the process and is dynamic as it changes with the economic environment in the state and changing requirements," said Mr Patel.

Mr Patel informed about various policy initiatives viz., setting up gems and jewelry park in Surat and Ahmedabad, apparel park in Surat. The four - lane highway would also be extended up to Dahej in Bharuch.

Republished from The Asian Age