Shivraj Singh Chouhan offers single window clearance to South African investors

JOHANNESBURG: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has promised potential South African investors quick clearance of their projects, saying he would be their " single window clearance in the state".

Chouhan, who has been leading a week-long high-level investment and trade promotion visit, was addressing the members of the India Business Forum, comprising the captains of Indian industry in South Africa at the Gordon Institute of Business Science here.

He also conveyed the resolve of the new NDA government in India to continue working for further consolidation of bilateral relations with South Africa, particularly in the economic and commercial fields.

Chouhan also highlighted the plan of the new Indian government to move on a higher economic growth trajectory as he invited the leaders to the Global Investors Summit to be held in October 2014 in Indore.

"Madhya Pradesh as a state has seen impressive economic and social gains in the last few years, registering double digit growth for the past eight years, and over 24 per cent in the agricultural sector last year, bringing new opportunities for all," Chouhan said.

"I will be your single window clearance in the state," Chouhan said and promised his fullest support in giving investors a business friendly policy environment.

He listed mining, ecological and wildlife tourism, small scale industries, food processing and agricultural sectors as holding particular promise for collaboration between India and South Africa.

There was huge applause for Chouhan as he passionately stressed the importance of efficient service delivery and governance, especially for women empowerment and youth development.

Chouhan's addresses over the past week have consistently recalled the struggle of Mahatma Gandhi in South Africa and his deep imprint on India-South Africa relations.

During a visit earlier this week to the now derelict Tolstoy Farm south of Johannesburg, which was once a thriving commune for Passive Resisters led by Gandhi, Chouhan spontaneously announced a one crore rupees donation for a Garden of Remembrance project being put up there.

The project is being led by Indian High Commissioner Virendra Gupta in collaboration with the local South African Indian community.