PM Modi’s foreign tours paying off! UAE is keen to invest in ‘Make in India’ and ‘Smart Cities’ projects

It seems that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foreign tours are bearing good results as UAE is keen on strengthening ties with India and is interested in investing in programmes like ‘Make in India’, ‘Digital India’ and ‘Smart Cities’.

UAE's Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan said today: "We are determined to attract more investment into India in various sectors. I am extremely keen to hear and listen from you some of the proposals, especially Make in India, Digital India and Smart City initiatives."

Infrastructure is a key element in this regard as it opens up markets and opportunities for stronger people-to-people ties, the minister said, adding the UAE was "determined" to take its relationship with India "to a new strategic level".

Meanwhile, India has already received $19.78 billion foreign direct investment (FDI) from 12 countries visited by Modi in financial year 2014-15.

Citing the example of Dubai Ports World, Nahyan said: "We want to do more, we have the capacity, the willingness, the drive to do more".

"We hope you allow us to be more entrenched and more involved in your community and your business because the appetite is strong and the commitment is real," Nahyan said.

Dubai will host the World Exposition 2020. The minister said that the city needed Indian partners and friends to help them achieve those deliverables.

She also highlighted the commitment of the two nations to raise bilateral trade by almost 50 to 60% in the coming years.

Pointing out that the UAE was strongly connected through its ports and airports to almost every other city in the world, the minister said Indian industries could use this as an opportunity to reach out to the African continent.

(Image: Indiatimes)