The Vibrant Gujarat Summit in January could be the first event to showcase the issues related to Goods and Services Tax (GST) and its implementation to the international community, a senior state official has said.
“In January Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit is one occasion that basically all these issues (related to GST) could be discussed and showcased,” Bharat Lal, Resident Commissioner, Gujarat told Indian reporters here.
Directing a high-level Gujarat delegation, Lal is currently on a week-long trip to North America – the US and Canada carrying road shows and engaging business leaders and officials on the next version of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit which will commence from January 11 to January 13.
ALSO READ: Ban Ki-moon hopes India,other nations will ratify climate deal
Programmed to be inaugurated by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 10, this mega event is likely to be accompanied by various heads of States and Cabinet ranking ministers from more than two and half dozen countries.
Focusing on the theme of ‘Connecting India to the World’, the Government of Gujarat has invited all Chief Ministers of other states, so that their states could benefit from the presence of hundreds of top business executives from across the world, who are keen on investing in India.
“This summit is not focused only on Gujarat. This is focused on all India,” he said. Delegates from 110 to 120 countries are expected to attend the eight edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Summit. Based on initial feedback, Lal said a number of Governors from the United States are likely to attend the event. “It is open to every State. They can do their business there,” he said. “We expect that various union ministers, ministries would be present,” he added.
ALSO READ: I will abide by Netaji’s decision: Shivpal Yadav
For the first time about 10 leading Nobel Laureate have been invited to attend the Vibrant Gujarat Summit.
“Idea is the Nobel Laureates who have done great work in innovation, science, physics, chemistry and medicine and their discoveries have led to an invention if they come to Vibrant Gujarat, they speak and conduct seminars they would be beneficial to India,” he observed.
Ahead of the January event, executives from Gujarat are flying to 23 countries, from where they expect foreign direct investment to flow into the country.
Responding to questions, Lal said there is a “great enthusiasm” among foreign companies in India and in the last two years and it has generated a buzz around the world.
ALSO READ: Plea in SC to maintain law and order in TN, Karnataka
“India is now a preferred destination for foreign investors,” he noted based on his interaction with corporate officers in the US and Canada. “Generally people have a very positive thing to talk about India. People are very bullish about India. India is a happening place. ”
“There is a wind of change in India. There is a lot of enthusiasm. People want to invest in India. This would be visible in the Vibrant Gujarat Summit,” Lal said