Himachal inks pacts worth Rs 10,095 crore

Shimla : Barely hours before the Global Investors Meet the Himachal government has signed MoUs worth Rs 10,095 crore at Dharamsala on Wednesday.

A top level team led by state Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur held meetings with delegations of various industrial houses and 20 memorandums of understanding were signed.

The investors discussed about their future plans for investments in Himachal Pradesh in various sectors. 
While presiding over the first round of B2G with President Group Public Affairs Mahindra Group Manoj Chugh, the Chief Minister said that the state government would provide all possible help to the Group for setting up their units in the State.

The Mahindra Group is interested in tourism and hospitality, real estate and infrastructure and also discussed about Himachali Dham to be started as a cuisine in state based tourism resorts. The Group also showed interest in organic farming.

Bharti Delegation led by Manu Sood, Hub CEO, Airtel met the Chief Minister. Bharti has signed MoU worth Rs 1000 crore in IT sector for data fibre link and mobile connectivity.

Bharti requested to reduce the charges for laying data fibre as networks are strengthening data consumption across Himachal Pradesh.

The Vietnam Delegation led by Ambassador of Vietnam in India Pham Sanh Chauof showed interest in promoting Himachal as tourist destination in Vietnam, collaboration on technology exchange and Sister City Partnership Agreements.

The Ambassador introduced all member interested in sectors like IT, tourism, pharmaceuticals, electrical, solar and wind energy, TV equipment, textile, food processing, Buddhist pilgrimage and Media. He appreciated the efforts of the state government and said that Dharamshala was an ideal destination to promote Buddhist tourism in Asian countries as well.

FIZ Biotechnologie GmbH delegation also had meeting with the Chief Minister. FIZ has signed MoU for research, development, innovations in the field of Ayurgenomics, Ayurnutrigenomics- herbal plants, precision medicine and precision agriculture and discussed research collaboration in Ayurveda in Himachal. Predictive, preventive and proactive medicine can be developed by this initiative.

BRS Ventures Delegation led by Chairman Dr. Bavaguthu Raghuram Shetty evinced intent to invest in development of tourism and hospitality assets like hotels and resorts, health care and plantations, orchards– agri business.

Lulu Group showed interest in hospitality, travel and tourism, export of fruits, horticulture produce and investment in cold storage and discussed about a procurement office, cold storage warehouse and farmer linkages for export of fresh apples, exotic fruits and vegetables for Lulu group retail chain. They also evinced intent to invest in 5-star resort at Dharamshala and Shimla.

Ayana Holdings delegation showed interest  in hospitality assets, healthcare and plantations .Jai Ram also met GMR Delegation led by Srinivas Bommidala, Chairman, Energy and International Airports. GMR discussed about opportunities for Mandi international airport and shared progress of current project in Chamba.

Another meeting was held with SJVN Ltd delegation led by Chairman and MD N.L Sharma and signed MoU worth Rs 5,000 crore of hydro project in Chenab basin.

M/s Abbott delegation led by Vice President Jawed Zia showed interest in expansion and diversification of their footprint in the State and signed MoU of Rs 102 Crore for expansion of Pharma plant in Baddi.

Eleventh meeting was held with Avaada Power delegation led by Director T R Kishor Nair. They discussed opportunities in solar project in Lahaul & Spiti. Avada Power signed MoU worth Rs. 1,000 crore solar project in Lahaul Spiti. 

A high level delegation of more than 25 ASSOCHAM companies led by Chairman Dr Vikas Chaturvedi showed interest  in all the focus sectors and the opportunities available in Himachal Pradesh.
Amazon Group evinced interest  to partnership for promotion of Himachali produce including Handloom & Handicrafts, exotic fruits and vegetables and discussed about there are products from Himachal already in platform and need to systematize the things for the products like Aromatic Plants have potential to export.
Horizon Group delegation evinced interest  to invest in transportation sector in PPP model and discussed about possibilities in Autonomous vehicles which reduced 50 per cent fatalities in Turkey.

Globe Apex delegation showed interest in tourism sector in Hotels & resorts, industrial units, cold chain opportunity available in the State.
Puremagics company discussed about opportunities in hemp growing and processing.

The Chief Minister also met UAE India-Business Council delegation led by Director General Abdul Salam who showed interest in promoting trade and investment, job creation and entrepreneurship in Himachal Pradesh.

Jai Ram Thakur later met PIOCCI high level delegation of more than forty companies from 11 countries led by Secretary Sanjay Ganjoo. They are interested in helping People of Indian Origin (PIOs), Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and their business enterprises of all sizes to operate within Himachal Pradesh.