India to record 9-10% growth next year: Manmohan Singh at Pravasi Bharatiya Divas

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh in his inaugural address at the 9th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) 2011 organized jointly by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, welcomed the Overseas Indians back to this annual homecoming. He said that the world expects India to play an important role in global affairs and to contribute positively to international relations as the country has tremendous capacity to build consensus amongst the major players.

Speaking on India's resilience, Dr. Singh said that the economy has so far grown by 8.9% this year and is all set to clock a growth in the range of 9-10% next year. This growth is vital to fund our ambitious social development program and create employment for our young population.

Dr Singh said that the welfare of the large number of workers that emigrate from India is a matter of special concern to the government. He added that to improve the conditions for migrants overseas, Government of India has signed social security agreements with 12 countries and also finalized Labor Mobility Partnership with other two counties. New Indian cultural centres in several countries were also being planned, the PM said. He added that the OCI and PIO card scheme would be relooked at to further ease travel to India. The MOIA was also setting up skills development centres in hospitality and healthcare in the northeast, to open up opportunities for youth in these sectors.

The Prime Minister also unveiled the foundation stone of Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra. This is going to be a research and documentation centre and also a meeting place for the Diaspora. He also released a book titled "Homeward Bound – A regulatory and investment handbook for Overseas Indians."

Sir. Anand Satyanand, Governor General of Zealand, and the chief guest of PBD this year, observed that globalization is connecting people through knowledge and technology all over the world. New Zealand has 9000 Indian students and is fast becoming an attractive destination for higher education. The Global Indian have the very best to offer to the world, he added.

Welcoming the guests, Mr. Vayalar Ravi, Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs, observed PBD has grown both in scope as well stature, with this year's participation seeing over 1300 delegates from more than 50 countries. Stressing on the theme of PBD this year "Celebrating the Global Indian" in partnership with eight North Eastern States, he hoped to catch the attention of the young overseas Indians in discovering India and also the untapped North Eastern Region of the country.

Mr. Ravi enumerated some of the important measures that the Government of India has taken to promote ties with overseas Indians. Among others, he mentioned the ‘Indian Community Welfare Fund" to be made available in all Indian Missions to provide on-site assistance to Indian citizens in distress, adding that three more centres would be operational this year, besides three existing ones. He expressed confidence that PBD would come up with new and innovative ideas to take forward the engagement of a young, economically resurgent and vibrant India with our Diaspora.

Mr. B. K. Handique, Minister of Development of North Eastern Region, said that the eight North Eastern states, which cover 8% of the area, 4% of the India's population is an unexplored place with a huge tourism potential. The Government is working out on integrating Buddhist sites in NE states along with the Government of Thailand. There are huge opportunities and challenges being offered by NE, he added.

Mr. Hari Bhartia, President, CII, in his vote of thanks mentioned that the Diaspora is showing solidarity with India, which is hugely valuable and assured that CII would continue to help the Diaspora leverage new business opportunities.

New Delhi

8th January 2011