The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) yesterday promised Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi help in improving his government’s image abroad.A FICCI delegation led by its president A.C. Muthiah laid to rest Modi’s worries about the state’s image, which had taken a beating post-Godhra. At an hour-long multimedia presentation at the Cabinet Hall of the Assembly building here, Muthiah said FICCI would revive the much-touted resurgent Gujarat business partnership concept to attract investment in the state.FICCI’s announcement comes a week after the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) apologised to Chief Minister Modi who felt slighted by difficult questions put to him by some industrialists at its meetings.Though FICCI and CII have been seen as competitors, Muthiah made it clear its decision had nothing to do with CII’s apology. ‘‘FICCI has nothing to do with the CII. We neither support CII nor criticise it. FICCI is interested only in the economic and industrial development and would not like to be embroiled in any controversy,’’ Muthiah told reporters after the meeting.He added: ‘‘With peace having returned post-Godhra, there is a great potential for investment in Gujarat. FICCI would like to focus mainly on three areas — value-added agriculture, or the food-processing sector, tourism, and cluster development of small industries.’’Muthiah said the earthquake last year and rioting this year had somehow held up progress on the resurgent Gujarat business partnership concept, but ‘‘now the atmosphere is congenial for investment.’’Muthiah said FICCI would organise a joint summit on ‘‘Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (SMEs)’’ led by the Minister of Commerce and Industry of Indonesia in Gujarat sometime in April. This would be followed by a global summit on SMEs to be held in the state in September, in which entrepreneurs from various countries would participate. FICCI has suggested the introduction of cruises, in view of Gujarat boasting the longest coastline, promising help from its connections in Malaysia.Muthiah said the state had constituted the Gujarat State Council headed by Amit Goradia, a Vadodara industrialist, to support FICCI’s work. FICCI secretary-general Amit Mitra, Gujarat Industries Minister Anil Patel and prominent industrialists were among those who attended the presentation.
