Overseas Indian Facilitation Centre (OIFC), set up in association with the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), is aggressively looking at working with northern states such as Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu Kashmir and Rajasthan to project investment opportunities to oversees Indians to expand their engagement with their state of origin or choice.
Speaking to Business Standard, OIFC Chief Executive Officer Charu Mathur said, “I met senior state representatives from Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh at CII Invest North recently to avail of OIFC’s services actively as State Partners. Now, I am meeting up with the respective principal secretaries – Investment Promotion, starting with Punjab to explain the states as to how OIFC can assist and steer investments from NRI/PIO investors in the respective states. I would meet Rajasthan officials tomorrow and UP’s soon as well. We will ask the state government to prepare projects where there is opportunity for investment in the state. Our basic aim is to bring unique economic opportunities to the Indian diaspora through our partners namely state government and knowledge partners.”
Deliberating on the initiative, she announced two diaspora engagement meets at Bahrain and London being organised by OIFC with the key aim to engage the overseas Indians mainly the professionals and mid-sized entrepreneurs economically and apprise them about the trade and investment opportunities in various northern states like Punjab, Haryana, UP, Uttarakhand, HP, JK, Rajasthan etc.
“The first Overseas Diaspora Engagement Meet is scheduled in the Gulf region on September 6, 2014 in Manama (Bahrain), while the second one is scheduled during the Regional Pravasi Bharatiya Divas from 16-18 October 2014 at London”, announced Charu Mathur.
The objectives of the Meet are to acquaint the Indian community in the Kingdom of Bahrain nearby countries with the various investment opportunities in India; seek inward investments from both Indian Diaspora and Bahraini Nationals; improve trade and investment ties in the Gulf with the support of the Indian Diaspora; Strengthen Indian Diaspora’s engagement with vibrant and strong Indian states.
Speaking about the key sectors of relevance during the Bahrain meet, she shared that “The Diaspora Meet in Bahrain will specifically dwell on investment opportunities in India in sectors like Agriculture – Infrastructure, Healthcare Medical tourism, Real Estate and Pharmaceutical industry.
“Sushma Swaraj, Hon’ble Minister of External Affairs and Overseas Indian Affairs is expected to inaugurate the Bahrain Meet and Prem Narain, Secretary, Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, will be accompanied by a business delegation from India which would comprise industry leaders, officials from the Government, and heads of various MOIA led initiatives from various states”, she added.
The second Overseas Diaspora Engagement Meet of OIFC scheduled from 16-18 October 2014 at London will include Panel discussions on ‘India’s FDI Policy’, ‘Getting Credit in India’ and ‘Protecting Investor’.
“OIFC has also planned to launch concurrent workshops to support Indian diaspora in understanding the opportunities, challenges and risks of doing business in India,”, added Mathur.