Proactive Modi attracting investments for Gujarat: Kenny

Canadian minister for immigration and multiculturalism Jason Kenny and British High Commissioner Sir James Bevan discuss their views on the Vigbrant Gujarat Summit which is likely to attract big investments.

Below is the edited transcript of the interview.

Q: You being a politician, can you explain the U-turn that the international community has undertaken regarding the perception on Narendra Modi?

Kenny: I can't speak for the international community but the government of Canada regards Gujarat as a natural place of interest for Canada commercially and in other aspects. Chief Minister Modi in his re-election had a democratic mandate and he enjoys good support from the people of Gujarat.

Apart from the political differences that exists in India, in Canada and globally, he is credited for creating a very sound framework for business and investments. He carries a reputation of getting things done and at a faster pace compared to typically what we see in Indian public sector. The keenness of CM and his government to quickly response has caught people's attention and has created positive climate for investment.

Q: The Gujarati diaspora is spread across the world and has played a very important role in social, cultural and economic areas in the UK. Is there a diaspora angle to the interest that we are seeing from your end in Gujarat?

Bevan: We have one of the largest Gujarati diaspora communities in the UK. The largest concentration of Gujarati's outside Gujarat is probably in the city of Leister, which is my hometown. So, I like to think that I am a son of Gujarat. There is lot in common between the states. Gujarat and Britain share roughly the same size and population and there is a natural economic fit between Britain and Gujarat.

Q: Narendra Modi clearly attracting international investors. However, he has opposed big ticket investment decisions like foreign direct investment (FDI) policy decisions, FDI in multi-brand retail. Could this summit be an occasion for diplomats or other industry members to convince Narendra Modi of allowing FDI funded retail stores in Gujarat? Would this be an opportunity?

Bevan: It's not for me or any other foreign diplomat to seek to convince Modi or the Indian people of the merits of FDI, that's a matter for them. We in Britain do think that open borders, open markets and liberal economic policies are good for everybody. We in Britain have seen jobs and growth great in the UK because we have encouraged inward investments and we will continue to do so.