The dynamic and growth oriented Govt.
of Gujarat is determined to develop Tourism as a key
industry to make it an important contributor to the
state's economic and social growth and to offer a right
blend of Business and Pleasure. This will be achieved
by active participation of private, national and international
corporate bodies to bring in their expertise and investment
with supportive Govt. policies and facilitation. Government
will offer the most conducive climate for the industry
to grow.
Gujarat has been the front-runner
in the overall economic development of the country all these years, as is evident
from the fact that with mere 6% of geographical area and 5% of the population
of India, the state contributes to 21% of the country's exports and 6.42% of the
national GDP at constant prices. If the decadal growth of performance of some
of the Indian states vis-à-vis other Asian economies with that of Gujarat
is compared, one gets quite an encouraging scenario. The industrial growth of
Gujarat with a figure of 8.52% could be way ahead of many Indian states and other
Asian Tigers viz. Singapore, Malaysia and Korea.
The State of Gujarat is one of the
most industrialized States in the country. Since 1997,
the State has maintained constant lead in terms of new
industrial investment. On all India basis, the State
accounts for 11% of industrial production, 8.5% of industrial
employment and 9.7% of industrial units. With 4.88%
of the country’s population, the State contributes
11% of India’s GNP. Strong socio-economic indicators
have contributed to the industrial growth in the State.Agro
Industrial Sector has been one of the identified thrust
areas in the successive State Industrial Policies. However,
sizeable investments have not flowed in this sector.
Currently, less than 1% of the agricultural produce
is processed in the State against nearly 2% in the country.
This is despite the fact that agriculture in the State
is highly diversified and the farming community is extremely
responsive to the changes taking place in this sector.
Mineral resources are important ingredients
of the State economy and it is a yardstick to measure
the economic growth because Mineral consumption is an
indicator of industrial development of a particular
area. Minerals are directly or indirectly a basic raw
material for strategic industries. Therefore, it is
essential to manage mineral resources with cutmost care.
Gujarat is the ideal state for the investment in mineral
based industries looking to the state mineral resources
and infrastrural facilities. There is ample opportunity
to establish mineral oriented industries like Limestone
based cement and soda ash industry, Lignite-based power
plants, Bauxite-based Alumina plant, Marble & Granite
based cutting, polishing plants, Clay based ceramic
units, Silica sand based glass units.
Provides a framework to the private sector participation in financing, construction,
operation and maintenance of infrastructure projects as per Infrastructure Agenda
: Vision 2010.
Offers concession agreement by private sector with State Government and Government
agency or a specified Government agency.
To maintain a competitive civil
aviation environment which ensures safety and security
in accordance with international standards, promotes
efficient, cost-effective and orderly growth of air
transport and contributes to social and economic development
of the country.
In the context of a multiplicity of airlines, airport
operators (including private sector), and the possibility
of oligopolistic practices, there is need for an autonomous
regulatory authority which could work as a watchdog,
as well as a facilitator for the sector, prescribe and
enforce minimum standards for all agencies, settle disputes
with regard to abuse of monopoly and ensure level playing
field for all agencies. Therefore, a statutory autonomous
Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will be constituted.
The basic objectives of setting up of the Authority
will be to ensure aviation safety, security and effective
regulation of air transport in the country in the liberalised
environment.
The
SEZ units exempted from payment of electricity duty for 10 years,
SEZ units granted automatic approval for captive power plant.
Support extended for site clearance, NOC Consent Order and other clearances concerning
pollution.
List of industries exempted from seeking
pollution NOC extended to SEZ units also.
Approval for
development of water supply and distribution system granted to SEZ developers.
SEZ units exempted from filling of periodical returns as per Labour Act.
Units set up in SEZ declared as Public Utility Services, exempting them from payment
of stamp duty, registration fees on transfer of land and also for term loan. Inputs
made to SEZ units from DTA exempted from sales tax and other state taxes.
Special Committee constituted under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary to resolve
various issues for promotion, development and functioning of SEZ.
GSPC appointed as the nodal agency for the scrutiny of applications from investors
for investment in different zones. GSPC along with NOC will bnng out a detailed
set of guidelines.
No single party would be
permitted for more than two blocks.
NOC would be cleared
within a time frame of 3 months.
For impartial scrutiny,
a Committee comprising Principal Secretary (Energy). MD-GSPC, Joint Secretary
(Petrochemicals) and an expert in the field is constituted.
The developer to provide non-discriminatory third party access on common earner
principle for pipeline capacity.
Entity laying distribution
network offered the right of first use upto a capacity of 60% for its own requirements
and the remaining capacity for other users.
Person
using the pipeline required to pay the transportation rate for use of common carrier
to the operator.
The applicant not to transfer the
pipeline asset without the consent of GSPC /Government.
The applicant to follow prudent industry practices with respect to safety and
environment
The participant company to have a network
of about 30% of the likely project cost
As and when
the Gas Act or any other relevant regulation is brought in force the developer
has to meet with the requirements of the regulation
1.01. Power is the engine of growth of any developing economy. Consumption of
electrical energy is an universally accepted indicator of progress in the agricultural,
industrial and commercial sectors, as also of the well being of the people of
the State. No major economic activity can be sustained without adequate and reliable
supply of power. It plays a critical role in employment generation, regional development
and poverty eradication.
State Government had announced its
Power Policy in December, 1995. Government of Gujarat
hereby declares the policy for supply of surplus electrical
power to group companies and Gujarat Electricity Board
(hereinafter referred to as G3B)/Licensees, Wheeling
of Power, etc. by Captive Power Projects.
Decongesting
the overburden on existing ports on the western coast through efficient facilities
and services to support the domestic and international trade.
Developing/upgrading port facilities at 10 locations.
Providing port facilities to promote export-oriented industries and port-based
industries
Encouraging shipbuilding, ship repairing
and manufacturing facilities for cranes. dredgers and floating crafts.
Promoting coastal shipping for passengers and cargo traffic between various locations
within the state and important places outside the state.
Attracting private sector investment in minor and intermediate ports as also at
the new port locations
Imparting connectivity to all villages by all-weather roads thereby improving
quality of life in rural areas.
Developing adequate
and efficient road system encompassing all transportation needs to ensure smooth
and uninterrupted flow of goods and passenger traffic.
Constantly upgrading the technology by inducting superior and quicker construction
and maintenance methods.
Setting high standards of
road safety and travel comforts.
In
recent years tourism has emerged as a major economic activity that is employment
oriented and earns foreign exchange. Its share in the worlds GDP in 1994-95 was
10% which is more than the world military budgets put together. In global terms,
the investment in tourism industry and travel trade accounts for 7% of the total
capital investment. Today 21.2 crore people around the globe are employed in travel
trade and tourism. In future, this industry is likely to see unprecedented growth.
According to the World Tourism Council at Bruseels, the revenues from travel and
tourism in Asia Pacific region will grow at the rate of 7.8% annually over the
next decade.Amongst the economic sectors, the tourism sector is highly labor intensive.
A survey by the Government of India notes that the rate of employment generation
(direct and indirect) in tourism is 52 persons employed per Rs.10 lakh investment
(based on 1992-93 Consumer Price Index). This is much higher than the rates of
employment generation in most other economic sectors.
The state of Gujarat (‘the state’)
has been prone to disasters. Over the years, these disasters
have caused extensive damage to life and property and
have adversely impacted economic development. The Government
of Gujarat (‘GoG’) recognises the need to
have a proactive, comprehensive, and sustained approach
to disaster management to reduce the detrimental effects
of disasters on overall socio-economic development of
the state. GoG believes that there is a need for a policy
that articulates its vision and strategy for disaster
management in the state. In this context the Gujarat
State Disaster Management Authority (GSDMA) provides
guidelines to various entities involved in disaster
management in the state to discharge their responsibilities
more effectively. With this in view, the GSDMA has formulated
the Gujarat State Disaster Management Policy (‘GSDMP’
or ‘the Policy’).
