GES-2017: Narendra Modi invites global entrepreneurs to invest in India

Hyderabad: A three-day international summit of entrepreneurs started here on Tuesday with Prime Minister Narendra Modi hard selling India and inviting investors from across the globe to invest in India taking advantage of a friendly climate while President Donald Trump s daughter Ivanka said much remains to be done with regard to equitable laws for women in many developing as well as developed countries. To my entrepreneur friends from across the globe I would like to say: Come Make in India Invest in India - for India and for the world. I invite each one of you to become a partner in India s growth story. And once again assure you of our whole-hearted support Modi said while inaugurating the 2017 Global Entrepreneurship Summit here.The event being co-hosted here by the US and India is being attended by 1 500 entrepreneurs investors and eco-system supporters from 159 countries.Modi told young entrepreneurs from India that each of them has something valuable to contribute towards creating a New India by 2022. You are vehicles of change and instruments of India s transformation. My government understands that an environment of transparent policies and a rule of law providing a level-playing field are necessary for entrepreneurship to flourish.Listing various steps taken by his government in the last over three years in improving the business climate Modi said the jump in India s ranking in the World Bank s Ease of Doing business Report from 142 to 100 in three years was a result of this.Prime Minister Narendra Modi meeting the Advisor to the President of United States Ms. Ivanka Trump on the sidelines of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit-2017 in Hyderabad on November 28 2017. My government understands that an environment of transparent policies and a rule of law providing a level-playing field are necessary for entrepreneurship to flourish. A historic overhaul of the taxation system has been recently undertaken bringing in the Goods and Services Tax across the country. Our Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code introduced in 2016 is a step towards ensuring timely resolution for stressed ventures. We have recently improved this further preventing wilful defaulters from bidding for stressed assets he said.Touching on demonetisation the Prime Minister said tough measures have been adopted to tackle the parallel economy check tax evasion and control black money. Our efforts have been recognised by Moody s recent upgrade of India s government bond ratings. This upgrade comes after a gap of almost 14 years. India he said has improved its rank from 54 in 2014 to 35 on the World Bank s Logistics Performance Index. This signifies the relative ease and efficiency with which products can be moved into and from a country. An investment-friendly environment needs to be stable from the macro-economic perspective. We have succeeded in containing the fiscal and current account deficits and curbing inflation. Our foreign exchange reserves have crossed USD 400 billion and we continue to attract large foreign capital flows he said.Speaking before the prime minister Ivanka who is also the US President s Advisor said: When it comes to equitable laws while many developed and developing countries have made tremendous strides there is still much work to be done. She said in some countries women are not allowed to own property travel freely or work without the consent of their husbands. In some other countries the cultural and family pressure is so great that women do not feel the freedom to work outside the home. Our administration is striving to promote greater opportunity for women around the world both through our domestic reforms and our international initiatives she said.She also said that when women work it creates a multiplier effect and leads to more reinvestment in families and society. When women work it creates a unique multiplier effect. Women are more likely than men to hire other women and to give them access to capital mentorship and networks. Women are also more likely to reinvest their income back in their families and communities she said.She also lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his belief that progress of humanity is incomplete without the empowerment of women. Just consider if India closes the labour force gender gap by half your economy could grow by over 150 billion in the next three years she said.Noting that this is the first time India has hosted the Global Entrepreneurship Summit Ivanka said it is a symbol of the strengthened friendship between our two peoples and the growing economic and security partnership between our two nations.Complimenting India for being one of the fastest growing economies globally lifting millions out of poverty and for the progress achieved in science and technology Trump said: The people of India inspire us all. The people of India have lifted more than 130 million citizens out of poverty. All of you are helping India s middle class reach its goal of becoming 500 million people by 2030. This year s summit is focused on a theme: Women First Prosperity for All.Stressing on women s achievements in India Modi said: In Indian mythology woman is an incarnation of Shakti - the Goddess of power. We believe women empowerment is vital to our development. Indian women continue to lead in different walks of life. Our space programmes including the Mars Orbiter Mission have had immense contribution from our women scientists. Kalpana Chawla and Sunita Williams both of Indian origin have been part of US space missions he added.Talking about Indian women empowerment Modi added: We have launched the MUDRA scheme to provide easy finance of upto one million rupees to entrepreneurs. Since its launch in 2015 over 90 million loans worth 4.28 trillion rupees have been sanctioned. Of these more than 70 million loans have been sanctioned to women entrepreneurs. The US State Department and other American agencies in partnership with NITI Aayog India s think tank are organising GES which seeks to create an environment that empowers innovators particularly women to take their ideas to the next level.The delegates include about 400 each from India and the US and the remaining from the rest of the world.This is the 8th GES which brings together entrepreneurs investors and eco-system supporters for mentoring networking and investment matchmaking. This is the first time that the event is being held in South Asia. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi will be back in battlefield Gujarat today to power the electoral campaign of their respective parties in the bitterly-fought Assembly polls.PM Modi who launched a campaign blitzkrieg on Monday addressing four election rallies in different parts of Saurashtra and south Gujarat will hold four more today after a day s break during which he inaugurated the Global Entrepreneurship Summit and the Hyderabad Metro in the Telangana capital.PM Modi will address rallies in Morbi and Prachi villages near Somnath Palitana in Bhavnagar and at Navsari in south Gujarat today.Rahul Gandhi will also be in Gujarat on a two-day campaign tour. He will kick off the current trip with a visit to the famous Somnath temple. He has been repeatedly ridiculed by the BJP for visiting a string of temples in the state during the election campaign.The Congress vice president will visit Gir Somnath Amreli and Bhavnagar districts where he will interact with people and hold public meetings party sources said.Gujarat goes to polls in two phases on December 9 and 14 while votes will be counted on December 18.The Congress is seeking to dislodge the BJP from power in the state which the BJP has ruled for close to two decades now. AHMEDABAD: Denouncing Prime Minister Narendra Modi s remarks that the Congress was levelling baseless allegations against the son of Gujarat the opposition party today said he was making emotional statements to run away from discussions on failed promises. If he was strong he should have called the winter session of Parliament and faced questions senior Congress leader Anand Sharma said. Why cannot we challenge the prime minister in Gujarat just because he is from Gujarat? Sharma sought to know. He (Modi) visits Uttar Pradesh and abuses (Samajwadi Party leader) Akhilesh Yadav goes to Bihar and abuses (RJD chief) Lalu Yadav insults Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi in Uttar Pradesh he alleged while talking to reporters. We are not insulting you but should we also not ask any questions? Sharma said. Modi during a rally in Gujarat yesterday attacked the Congress saying the opposition party leaders were hurling baseless allegations at the son of Gujarat . Sharma claimed that Modi had no tolerance and democratic mindset which is why he said so. Your (Modi s) big promises have turned out to be a lie and you are running away from discussions and only making false emotional statements the Congress leader charged. He claimed that Modi hates truth he often lies. He is loud but not strong. If he was strong he should have called the winter session of Parliament and faced questions . Sharma also said that today he sent a book to the prime minister titled Journey of the Nation which details the 125 years of history of the Congress so that Modi could put history in perspective. In response to Modi s allegations that the Congress insulted Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel he said the Iron Man was among the country s great leaders and freedom fighters. He was a Congress leader and the deputy prime minister. Both Pandit (Jawaharlal) Nehru and Sardar admired each other he said. When Modiji sets up the Statue of Unity I would request him to put a copper plate with a letter from Sardar Patel dated February 4 1939 which he wrote to RSS chief M S Golwalkar on Mahatma Gandhi s murder he said. Gujarat Assembly Elections 2017: PM Modi begins his campaign today from Morbi (File)Ahmedabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address four rallies in poll-bound Gujarat today where assembly elections will be held on December 9 and 14.The Prime Minister begins his campaign today from Morbi. He will then address a rally in Prachi which is near Somnath. PM Modi will then head to Palitana in Bhavnagar and also address a rally at Navsari in south Gujarat.The polling for the two-phase elections in the state having total 182 assembly seats will take place on December 9 and 14 and votes will be counted on December 18.While 89 seats of Saurashtra and South Gujarat region will go to polls in the first phase the election in the remaining 93 constituencies in central and northern regions will be held in the second phase.Here are the live updates of PM Narendra Modi s visit to Gujarat:Nov 29 201710:22 (IST) While PM Modi is back to campaigning in the state where he was in power for about 12 years after a day s break due to Global Entrepreneurship Summit 2017 in Hyderabad Rahul Gandhi also visited Gujarat last week to meet locals. Congress is trying hard to strike a chord with voters in the state where BJP has ruled for nearly two decades. Nov 29 201710:18 (IST) PM Modi s public meetings today coincide with Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi s rallies in the poll-bound state. Mr Gandhi will kick off his two-day tour to PM Modi s home state with a visit to Somnath temple. He will visit Gir Somnath Amreli and Bhavnagar districts. Nov 29 201708:16 (IST) PM Narendra Modi s first rally in Morbi was expected to begin at 9 am.No more content By: Express News Service | Ahmedabad/vadodara | Published: November 29 2017 3:37 am Anand Sharma (File) Related News Gujarat elections Live Updates: Action packed day in Saurashtra as PM Modi Rahul Hardik to address ralliesPolice form human chain to avoid PAAS protests at Rupala s Surat meetingsGujarat elections: PM Narendra Modi Rahul Gandhi Hardik Patel in Saurashtra todayA day after Narendra Modi launched an all-out attack on the Congress in poll-bound Gujarat the party on Tuesday accused the Prime Minister of using vulgar intemperate and indecent language in his public speeches. His language is questionable. It is so vulgar that it is difficult for the Congress to reply to him in the same language He has no politeness and courtesy senior Congress leader Anand Sharma said in Ahmedabad. He also rebutted charges made against the Congress by Modi ranging from issues such as corruption to unfair treatment of Gujaratis and terrorism. Targeting the Prime Minister over his statement How dare you (Congress and its leader Rahul Gandhi) come to Gujarat and abuse her son Sharma told reporters this reflected his arrogance . You (Modi) go to Uttar Pradesh and insult Akhilesh Yadav Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. You go to Bihar and insult Lalu (Prasad). And now you are questioning the opposition when they challenge you in Gujarat the former Union minister said. He alleged that the Prime Minister had brought down the level of political discourse to the lowest . Replying to Modi s charge that the Congress had sold out the nation he asked Why is he sitting silent and not initiating any action? On the issue of terror Sharma said his party does not want a sermon from Modi on fighting terrorism. Rahul Gandhi is the son of Rajiv Gandhi and grandson of Indira Gandhi who sacrificed their lives for the nation. He said it was during Jawaharlal Nehru s rule that Gujarat became a separate state in 1960 and it was the Congress that conferred Bharat Ratna on Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. For all the latest Elections News download Indian Express App More Related News Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi makeover: Citizens take note of restraint with outreach to all For causing Sholay scare in Surat dacoits arrested Gabbar rides away Tags: Gujarat Assembly Elections 2017 Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address four rallies on November 29 in different parts of south Gujarat where polling for the first phase of Assembly polls will be held on 9 December.On the morning of 29 November Modi will address people in Morbi district which was one of the worst affected districts in the floods that ravaged the state of Gujarat earlier this year. The seat has been held by BJP since 1995 and the party has chosen to field its sitting MLA Kantibhai Amrutiya against Congress Brijesh A Merja.File image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. APLater the prime minister will address rallies in Prachi town in Junagadh district Palitana in Bhavnagar district and Navsari town in Surat district.Navsari is considered a BJP bastion as the party has retained the seat since 1990. However this time around Rahul Gandhi pulled a considerable crowd at his rally in the town.The BJP also faced some friction as BJP workers took out a huge rally in Navsari demanding that party leadership announce a new face the constituency The Times of India reported. The party has however chosen to field the sitting MLA Piyush Desai. Each rally has been organised in such a way that people from five to six surrounding constituencies can also attend it Gujarat BJP in-charge Bhupender Yadav Yadav told PTI.The polling for the two-phase elections in the state having total 182 Assembly seats will take place on 9 and 14 December and votes will be counted on 18 December.While 89 seats of Saurashtra and South Gujarat region will go to polls in the first phase the election in the remaining 93 constituencies in central and northern regions will be held in the second phase.Modi who started his high voltage campaign with rallies in Bhuj in Kutch district Jasdan in Rajkot Chalala in Amreli and Kadodara near Surat on 27 November took on the Opposition Congress on issues related to China Lashkar-e-Taiba s Hafiz Saeed the surgical strike as well as corruption.With inputs from PTIClick here for detailed coverage of Gujarat Assembly Election 2017 Written by Sreenivas Janyala | Hyderabad | Published: November 29 2017 3:17 am Prime Minister Narendra Modi accompanied by Telangana Governor ESL Narsimhan and Chief Minister K Chandrasekar Rao taking a ride in a metro train after launching the Hyderabad Metro Rail in Hyderabad on Tuesday. (PTI Photo) Related News Gujarat elections Live Updates: Action packed day in Saurashtra as PM Modi Rahul Hardik to address ralliesGujarat elections: PM Narendra Modi Rahul Gandhi Hardik Patel in Saurashtra todayIvanka Trump: From selling tea to becoming PM Modi showed transformational change is possiblePrime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the Hyderabad Metro Rail at 2.15 pm on Tuesday. A woman loco-pilot S Supriya was in the driver s seat as the PM and other dignitaries took a ride on the inaugural run from Miyapur station. Modi was accompanied by Telangana Governor E S L Narasimhan Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri and state BJP chief K Laxman among others. A mobile app named T Savari for Metro passengers was also launched by Modi. The Metro will open for the public on Wednesday. CM Rao looked glum through the inauguration. He did not sit beside Modi on the train leaving Narasimhan and son K T Rama Rao a minister in his Cabinet to sit on either side of the PM. In fact Rao who had been refused a one-on-one audience with Modi to discuss the 12 per cent minority quota hardly spoke throughout the half-hour that he was with the PM at the inauguration. Read | Hyderabad Metro: Fares timings routes and other features While Rao may have felt ignored Modi insisted that the CM and his son be beside him when he cut the ribbon for the Metro. A metro train runs on its tracks after the inauguration of Hyderabad Metro Rail project in Hyderabad on Tuesday. (PTI Photo) At the GES inaugural ceremony though KCR was told to keep his speech under five minutes while Ivanka and Modi spoke for more than 15 minutes each. Earlier in the day the PM arrived at Begumpet airport to a rousing welcome by BJP leaders and workers. Addressing the gathering Modi said the world was looking towards Hyderabad as the city got ready to host entrepreneurs from across the world for the GES. Thanking the BJP state unit in Telugu for welcoming him Modi said Whatever the BJP is today it is due to the hard work and sweat of countless BJP workers and their families. He added We believe in cooperative federalism that will attract investment for business in India. There is no question of discriminating against states where we are not in power. We are committed for the overall development of our country The central government will provide all possible support to new projects and developmental activities taken up by all states in the country. For all the latest India News download Indian Express App More Related News Delhi Confidential: Bouquet Ban Narendra Modi repackaged 23 welfare schemes of UPA government says Rajeev Shukla Tags: Narendra Modi Former president Barack Obama has embarked on a three-nation tour with stops in China India and France during which he will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi his office announced Tuesday.The tour comes just two weeks after President Donald Trump held a summit with Xi in Beijing.Obama was scheduled to open his trip Tuesday in Shanghai where he will hold private meetings and speak at a trade summit. On Wednesday he will participate in an education summit in Beijing and meet with Xi.In a news release Obama s office said the former president had forged a close and cooperative partnership with President Xi on issues ranging from growing the global economy to combating climate change and he looks forward to catching up with his former counterpart. In November 2014 Obama and Xi announced a climate agreement which was a precursor to the Paris climate accord signed by nearly all the nations in the world. Trump has announced his administration s intent to withdrawn the United States from that agreement at the earliest opportunity in 2020 a move Obama has publicly criticized.In New Dehli on Thursday Obama is scheduled to speak at the HT Media Leadership Summit and meet with Modi. On Friday Obama will hold a town-hall-style event for the Obama Foundation with an estimated 280 young leaders from across India his office said. The Town Hall will expand the conversation about what it means to be an active citizen and to promote positive change Obama s office said.In Paris on Friday and Saturday Obama will speak at the introductory session of the Les Napoleons Summit and hold private meetings.(Except for the headline this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)