Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered the inaugural address at FICCI’s 93rd Annual General Meeting and Annual Convention on December 12, 2020, via video conferencing. He complimented the Indian private sector for not only meeting the domestic needs but also for its capability to establish strong brand India globally. Commitment of every citizen towards Aatmnirbhar Bharat is an example of the country’s faith in its private sector, he said.
The Prime Minister said that in life as well as governance, a confident person never hesitates in giving space to others. A strong government, backed by massive mandate, exudes that confidence and dedication. A decisive government always strives to remove obstacles for others and tries to contribute to the society and the nation. A visionary and decisive government encourages all the stakeholders to realise their potential.
PM Modi pointed out that in the last six years, the government has been encouraging stakeholders in all sector. This is reflected in the all-round reforms in sectors ranging from manufacturing to MSME; agriculture to infrastructure; from tech industry to taxation, and from real estate to regulatory easing, he added.
The PM told the gathering that our industry needs bridges not walls. By removing the walls separating various sectors of the economy, there will be new opportunities for everyone, especially the farmers who will get new options. Investment in technology, cold storage, and the agri-sector will benefit farmers. The Prime Minister called for investing energy in finding ways to make agriculture, service, manufacturing and social sectors complement each other. Organization like FICCI can be both bridge and inspiration in this endeavour, he said.
“We should work with a goal to strengthen the local value and supply chain and how to expand India’s role in global supply chain. India has market, manpower and also the capability to work in mission mode,” the PM said.
The Prime Minister cited success of financial inclusion through the trinity of J-A-M (JanDhan, Aadhar and Mobile) as a the best example of planned and integrated approach to reform under this Government. This, the world’s largest Direct Benefit Transfer system, came in for praise when the country could transfer money into crores of accounts through a click of button during the pandemic time.
The PM said, “through policy and intention (niti aur niyat), the Government is committed to the welfare of the farmers.” Noting the increasing vibrancy of the agri-sector, he talked of new alternative available to the farmers to sell their produce outside the mandis, modernisation of mandis and option of selling produce on electronic platform, according to a PIB release.
PMi Modi pointed out that private sector investment in agriculture is not up to the mark. He said in the fields of supply chain, cold storage,and areas like fertilisers etc, both interest and investment of the private sector is needed. There is a huge scope in rural agro-based industries and a friendly policy regime is in place for that, Modi added.
Highlighting the positive change happening in the rural, semi-rural and tier-2 and tier-3 cities, the Prime Minister invited the senior business and industry leaders to take benefit of the opportunities in such areas. He informed that number of the Internet users in the rural areas has surpassed the cities and more than half of India’s start-ups are in tier-2 and tier-3 cities. Mentioning recently approved PM-WANI for public Wi-Fi hotspots, he said that entrepreneurs should become partners in the rural connectivity efforts.
“It is certain that in 21st century, India’s growth will be driven by villages and the small cities and entrepreneurs like you should not lose out on the opportunity to invest in the villages and small cities,” said the Prime Minister. He complimented the Industrialists and entrepreneurs for their contribution in the robust rebound from the Covid shock.