Private sector should invest in mega projects: Nirmala

19 February, Madurai

Union Minister of State for Commerce Nirmala Seetharaman Friday called upon the private sector to invest in mega projects in the country.

Addressing a session on Corporate Engagement, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), here, the minister said Centre is ready to provide necessary support to the private sector if they emerge with big industrial projects like BHEL.

Ms Nirmala Seetharaman said the government would also extend full support to the private sector to start defence-based industrial cluster in the same corridor. “Let me know the opportunities so that I will try to help you on forming defence-based industrial clusters in Madurai-Tuticorin corridor. The government wants all products in the country should be of good quality to compete with imported ones, ” she reasoned.

The minister said the Centre did not reduce the price of oil, despite steep fall in the international market to invest more on infrastructure building.

The Centre wanted to develop skilled labour of international standards. Once we certify a person as a skilled labourer, he should be accepted as the same in any country in the world. He should be of international quality in terms of his or her skill, she said.

Referring to competition faced by fireworks industries in Sivakasi, the Minister said the fireworks industries should improve their quality and variety, besides improving manufacturing method in order to diversify them to compete with the Chinese fireworks sector. The fireworks industry in Sivakasi alone had the potential to do business worth Rs 5,000 crore, she added.