New Delhi, Sept 25 (KNN) The Make in India campaign, which was launched today by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Vigyan Bhawan in the presence of about 500 top CEOs, including the heads of India Inc has been hailed by the industry bodies.

Lauding the initiative, Federation of Indian Micro and Small & Medium Enterprises (FISME), Secretary General, Anil Bhardwaj said, “Modi has oriented the focus of the government towards manufacturing sector. He has reiterated that India’s salvation lies in improving manufacturing from 15 per cent to 25 per cent, so that it can create millions of jobs.

Further, he has tried to tell the investors that they should not see India merely as a market, but instead see it as a potential market rife with opportunities.”

“Modi said it is important for the purchasing power of the common man to increase, as this would further boost demand, and fuel growth of the industrial sector,” Bhardwaj said adding “This is virtual growth”.

On the other hand, industry body ASSOCHAM said, “The Make in India campaign, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is truly a “lion’s step” in making India a global manufacturing hub.

Modi’s assurance to the Indian and global investors that they would not lose and only gain by investing in the country will go a long way in instilling trust and confidence among all sections of the industry, said President ASSOCHAM, Rana Kapoor,.

“The Prime Minister’s focus on ‘Effective and Easy governance’ by making his bureaucracy walk two steps ahead is something which will make a big difference to the ‘Ease of doing business’ in India,” said Kapoor.

Another important initiative of the programme is reaching out to the states for facilitating and promoting investment in manufacturing. Significantly, the major initiative has been unveiled on a day when the Prime Minister is embarking on a very important visit to the US where his interaction with top CEOs of the world would be reassuring to industry across the world, added ASSOCHAM President.   

Also commenting on campaign, President, FICCI, Sidharth Birla said “We have embarked on the path for India to become a global manufacturing power. Never before have we seen so much focus and attention on the vital manufacturing sector. This mission is a tribute to millions of entrepreneurs who effortlessly work over years to show that India is a reliable source of high-quality state of the art products that serve demand not only at home but all over the world”.

“FICCI and its entire membership commits itself to the goals set by our Hon’ble Prime Minister to turn India into a manufacturing destination through a ruthless focus on quality and efficiency as well as on reducing the impact on the environment of the production processes deployed”, he added.

Considering that the Prime Minister’s message has been already been relayed in state and global capitals, Birla said FICCI would work assiduously to re-inforce this national ambition and bring on board all stakeholders including investors abroad to develop India. 
 
He commended one of the major steps taken by the government in the setting up of an 8 member specialized team under the aegis of INVEST INDIA – where FICCI is a partner of the Government of India and the States – to address investor issues in a time bound manner. 

Make in India campaign is a drive to turn India into a manufacturing hub by calling both – domestic as well as foreign companies to set up their units in India. Modi, first mooted the programme during his Independence Day speech.

The programme lays emphasis on 25 sectors with focus on job creation and skill enhancement. These include: automobiles, chemicals, IT, pharmaceuticals, textiles, ports, aviation, leather, tourism and hospitality, wellness, railways, auto components, design manufacturing, renewable energy, mining, bio-technology, pharmaceuticals and electronics among others. (KNN/SD)