Gujarat's growth crucial for India: Modi

GANDHINAGAR: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today said he was "personally" committed to Gujarat's growth as this was crucial for India to become a major economic power.

"India is on the path of becoming a major economic power in the world. I have personally been committed to Gujarat's growth for India's growth," Modi said while making a pitch for investment in the state.

The chief minister was addressing the inaugural session of Vibrant Gujarat Summit-2011.

"We have not only registered overall double-digit growth but our important sectors have also registered double- digit growth. Our industry has grown at 13 per cent in last decade, agriculture at 9.6 per cent, per capita income at 13.8 per cent," Modi said.

"The objective of this summit is not merely to attract monetary investments. This is an attempt to unite all those who are concerned about the well-being of humanity," he said.

Industrialists Ratan Tata, Mukesh Ambani, Anil Ambani, Anand Mahindra, A M Naik, Gautam Adani praised the industry- friendly climate in Gujarat and the leadership of Modi.

Reliance group chairman Mukesh Ambani said, "Narendrabhai is a leader having a grand vision and (he) also has the strength to connect this vision to reality. Gujarat is emerging as a superpower of the 21st century under him."

"After Mahatma Gandhi, it is under the leadership of Narendra Modi that the state is seeing a phenomenal progress. My father Dhirubhai Ambani, after meeting Modi, had said he will go a long way," ADAG Chairman Anil Ambani said.

Tata group Chairman Ratan Tata too was all praise for the chief minister.

"By your exemplary leadership, you are establishing new grounds in industrial development. The Chief Minister is also looking for rural development and we will have a tie up with the state in this sector soon," he said.

President of US-India Business Council, Ron Sommers said that Gujarat was a state with a business environment and extraordinary work ethic. "This time Japan and Canada are partner countries in this summit and I will try that next time US is also a partner country," he said.

Japanese Ambassador Hideaki Domichi and Canadian High Commissioner Stewart Beck also praised the state for overall development.

The two-day biennial event being held in Mahatma Mandir this year is being organised in partnership with Japan and Canada.