HON’BLE CHIEF MINISTER OF GUJARAT SHRI BHUPENDRABHAI PATEL

A delegation led by Mr. Peeyush Kaushik, President, The Council of EU Chambers of Commerce in India, Vice-President – Business Leader and Head Healthcare Innovation Centre, Pune, Philips India Ltd. and co assisted by Mr. Robin Banerjee, Vice President, The Council of EU Chambers of Commerce in India, Chairman, Nucleon Research Pvt Ltd

paid a courtesy call on Hon’ble Chief Minister of Gujarat Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel.

The other members represented were Mr. K. V  Bala Kutti, Chairman, Indus Capital Ltd.; Dr. Judyta Latymowicz, Co-Founder, Advocate & Partner-LEGALLY.SMART Representative, ASE Technology Group, KAN-therm PVT LTD; Mr. Michał Liżewski, Co-Founder, Advocate & Partner LEGALLY.SMART Representative, MB Pneumatyka sp. z o.o, MBP PVT LTD & Nedar; Mr. Amitabh Anand, Managing Director and Executive Board Member LISEGA India Private Limited; Mr. Siladitya Sarangi Country Manager- India Deoleo India Pvt Ltd; Mr. S Venkatesh, Managing Director, Eltete India Transport PVT Ltd.; Mr. Yashpal Sachar, Vice President-Corporate Affairs Ashok Leyland Ltd. and Dr. Renu Shome, Director, The Council of EU Chambers of Commerce in India

The members represented sectors as Agriculture; Engineering; Finance; Food & Food Processing; Healthcare; IT & Software; Legal; Machinery & Equipments; Packaging material; Pharmaceutical; Renewable and Energy Technology.

Summary of the proposed suggestions by the members were as follows:

1. R&D Investment: Provide Plug and Play Infrastructure

To create a streamlined, user-friendly plug-and-play infrastructure to attract investments in research and development. This would involve setting up facilities that enable businesses to seamlessly initiate and conduct R&D activities, fostering innovation, employment and economic growth.

2. Land Availability List for Manufacturing: Proposed compiling and disseminating a comprehensive list of available land in Gujarat suitable for manufacturing purposes. This initiative aims to provide potential investors with clear information on land availability, facilitating informed decision-making and encouraging manufacturing ventures within the state. While it is understood that the State Government does have such a list, wider dissemination will be useful. EU Chambers can act as a catalyst for wider publicity of the available land and its concomitant infrastructure.

3. GIDC Infrastructure: World-Class Facilities

Stressed the importance of elevating GIDC (Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation) infrastructure to world-class standards. This involves implementing plug-and-play solutions, ensuring proper upkeep, incorporating common effluent treatment plants for environmental sustainability, and optimizing road and railway networks to enhance overall industry accessibility.

4. Brand Gujarat: Participation in EU Exhibitions

Recommended active participation in exhibitions within the European Union, strategically targeting areas with a significant Gujarati diaspora. This effort aims to

enhance the global visibility of Brand Gujarat, promoting the state’s strengths, opportunities, and cultural richness to a broader audience, potentially attracting investments and partnerships. For instance, Portugal has a large well-to-do Gujarati diaspora – a possible target country for brand Gujarat publicity.

5. EU Chamber Office: Government Support for New Office

Requested Hon’ble Chief Minister to support in establishing a new office for the EU Chamber ideally in Ahmedabad city. This facility would serve as a hub for fostering business relations between Gujarat and the European Union, providing a dedicated space for collaboration, communication, and exchanging ideas, ultimately strengthening economic ties between the regions.