Date:26/02/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/02/26/stories/2005022601201900.htm

Back Karnataka renews pact with CII for economic growth

Our Bureau

The Chief Minister, Mr N. Dharam Singh, and the CII President, Mr Sunil Kanth Munjal, exchanging files after the renewal of memorandum of understanding between the Government of Karnataka and the Confederation of Indian Industry in Bangalore on Friday. Also seen is Mr P.G.R. Sindhia, Minister for Industries. - Bhagya Prakash. K

Bangalore , Feb. 25

CII and the Karnataka Government have renewed their five-year-old MoU for partnership in economic and industrial growth.

Today's memorandum has been signed for initially two years.

The MoU inked by the Chief Minister, Mr N. Dharam Singh, and CII President, Mr Sunil Kant Munjal, says it will focus on eight immediate areas.

A joint team will formulate strategies to develop backward taluks and upgrade health and education across the State.

A Development Council will advise the State on industrial, fiscal, infrastructure development strategies and also engage in pre-Budget discussions. The team will include the Chief Secretary, secretaries of the departments of commerce and industry; finance; revenue, IT; rural development, education; and forest & ecology.

Bangalore will be jointly promoted as a major international convention centre.

Karnataka will be promoted as a key State for public-private partnerships and also as an attractive destination for foreign and domestic investors. Special delegations, missions and focussed events will be organised for this purpose.

The State is also partnering CII in EXCON 2005, a forthcoming expo-cum-conference on construction equipment.