Chennai: Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Wednesday welcomed captains of industry to the first Global Investors Meet 2015 and urged them to use the high quality human resources, good infrastructure and welcoming policy in the State after asserting that Tamil Nadu is a “sound investment.” The high-visibility event, with 5,000 listed delegates, was turned into a colourful city-wide jamboree, complete with music and dance, overcoming the disappointment for the AIADMK government which had to postpone it twice — first after Jayalalithaa stepped down as Chief Minister last year due to legal hurdles, and again in April this year.
Jayalalithaa viewed GIM to be a success, as the investment target of Rs. 1 lakh crore “has already been exceeded.” In concrete terms, she formally inaugurated projects worth Rs. 2,568 crore — the India Yamaha two-wheeler unit in Kancheepuram district involving investment of Rs. 1,600 crore, the TVS Motor-Sundaram Clayton units in Hosur put up at Rs. 800 crore, and TICEL Biopark in Taramani at Rs. 168 crore.
There was a clear indication that the BJP-led government at the Centre was keen to help Ms. Jayalalithaa advance her plans for industry. Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Minister of State for Highways and Road Transport Pon Radhakrishnan promised the Centre’s support for the State’s plans.
Jayalalithaa stressed her government’s performance record, highlighting the number two rank achieved by Tamil Nadu among State economies, the rise of per capita income above the national average, rapid infrastructure growth and evolution of an industry ecosystem.
