Notwithstanding the slowdown, the official machinery engaged in the business summit preparations is busy sending out invites along with colourful, glossy brochures to the champions of industries in India as well as abroad, explaining to them why they should pledge investment in Gujarat—the growth engine of India.

After conducting road shows in Europe, Africa and Asia last month, senior officials say that despite the impact of the meltdown seen there, they hope to attract a good deal of investment in Gujarat during the summit.

A senior official in the state Industries Department said that among other areas of potential investment, the government would concentrate mainly on marketing the Japan-aided 90 billion dollar Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) project during the summit. About 40 per cent of Gujarat’s geographical area falls under this ambitious project, which the government intends to develop as a “global manufacturing and trading hub” supported by world class infrastructure.

“The corridor passes through 18 districts, covering about 75 per cent of the state’s population. All these areas will see logistical hubs, special investment regions, special economic zones and a large number of labour-intensive industries with the potential of attracting investment estimated at Rs 2,000 billion, and generating over eight lakh jobs,” the official said.

Besides focussing on infrastructure, the government will also try to convince entrepreneurs to invest in small and medium industries that have been hit the hardest by the current financial crisis, during the summit. Another focus area at the summit will be power, gas and oil, with the government hoping to attract an investment of about Rs two lakh crore in this sector alone.

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