While promising more reforms to encourage more foreign investments in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday sounded hopeful that the Speaking at the India Singapore Economic Convention here, Modi said India is exploring a potential partnership with Singapore’s Changi Airport for developments of two Indian airports and invited companies here to join in building smart cities.
“In the last 18 months, the run-ways for the take-off of the economy have been made. Reforms are happening in a big way. They are now reaching to the last mile. Reform is to transform the system so that they perform. They aim at helping people realise their dreams.
“It means more charm on the faces and less forms in the offices. Efforts to deepen
The Prime Minister said his government began to liberalise
“We are also conscious of last mile operational issues in such matters and we are fine tuning the norms. Recently, we further eased FDI norms, after which India is the most open economy in terms of FDI,” he added.
While talking about 40 per cent increase in FDI and improvement in rankings like ease of doing business and world competitiveness index, Modi said, “Perceptions are turning into positive outcomes”.
“We are hopeful to roll out GST regime in 2016. The company law tribunal is being set up. FDI inflows have gone up by 40 per cent compared with previous year’s comparative period. Perceptions are turning into positive outcomes. FDI commitments are translating into reality,” he noted.
Modi also outlined 14 decisive steps taken to address regulatory and taxation concerns and said that India offers tremendous opportunities for investments, ranging from affordable housing to smart cities, railways to renewable energy. “I am here to invite you to India in a bigger way. I have also come to assure you that I am there to carefully hold your hands,” Modi said.
“Our commitment to mitigate the dangers of climate change arise from the belief that nature is our mother. We will do more than required,” he added. About his two-day visit, Modi said, “My visit has been very positive and productive and I had excellent meetings with Singapore leaders. We have concluded a strategic partnership which takes the relationship to a new level.”
“We have set high level of ambitions for this relationship. Our historic ties and cultural proximity are our assets,” he said, while referring to a large Indian diaspora present here.
The Prime Minister said economic partnership has been the key driver of the India-Singapore relationship. Noting that Singapore is India’s tenth largest trade partner globally and second largest in ASEAN, Modi said the bilateral trade has risen manifold.
“Singapore has emerged as the second largest source of FDI into India. The outward Indian FDI into Singapore has also risen in the recent times. Singapore is one of the top destinations for Indian investments. A significantly large number of companies are registered in Singapore,” he noted.
Modi also referred to the partnership in development of Amaravathi, the new capital of Andhra Pradesh, and the new container terminal at Jawaharlal Nehru Port.
“I expect even more exciting partnership. India has a scope for expansion. Your are fond of going vertical, India’s growth prospects are both vertical and horizontal. India and Singapore can work together in many promising areas,” he said.
“We are also exploring potential partnership with Changi Airport of Singapore for two airport terminals in India.
“I am fully aware of the importance and role Singapore has played in Act East policy. I am looking to working with Singapore in a much bigger way,” he said. Modi also said that Singapore could join in launch of rupee bonds in foreign countries.
Referring to IMF chief Christine Lagarde’s statement that India was a bright spot in the