INFOCUS|INDIA|EXHIBITION
HAAT OF INDIA
The Exposition & Investment Summit 21-23 December 2013, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh (India)
I
n order to realize the tremendous potential of its rural non-farm economy to contribute to growth and employment in the state, the government of Madhya Pradesh organized ‘Haat of India’ – the Exposition and Investment Summit – with China. The aim of the Summit was to explore and exchange meaningful collaborations towards large-scale investment in the manufacturing sector with China. The three-day event, from December 21 to December 23, 2013 was held under the aegis of Madhya Pradesh Livelihood Forum with the cooperation of India-China Economic and Cultural (ICEC) Council. About
75 Chinese industrial establishments from various sectors set up their stalls in the Haat along with Indian participants. The objective of the Summit was to bring Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) through a mass scale production model and to establish linkages with rural non-farm sector for ‘inclusive development.’ This interactive and creative platform with focus on eliminating rural poverty and employment for the youth in the state, witnessed the signing of 56 MoUs with the investor companies from China. The sectors included tourism development,
Chinese Special Economic Zone (SEZ), agro farm technology zone, textile and apparel park among others. The occasion was graced by State Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Chinese ambassador to India, H.E. Wei Wei and Chief Secretary of Madhya Pradesh, Shri Antony De Sa. Other dignitaries included Additional Chief Secretary, Panchayat and Rural Development, Ms. Aruna Sharma, Vice President of Huawei Telecommunications India Pvt. Ltd., Mr. Rajiv, ICEC Council President Mr. P.S. Deodhar, ICEC Council Secretary General Mr. Mohammad Saqib among others.
Lighting the lamp to mark the inauguration of the Haat Festival January 2014 India-China Chronicle |55|