Gujarat delegation woos energy investments in US

A Gujarat delegation is in the US to showcase investment opportunities in the state's renewable energy sector. It will also discuss cooperation in the fields of healthcare and IT.

Led by D. J. Pandian, the Principal Secretary for Energy in Gujarat, the 22-member delegation’s itinerary includes Boston, New Jersey, New York, and Washington.

The delegation will meet investors, industry trade groups, including the US-India Business Council, as well as the World Bank and US government representatives to discuss commercial cooperation in energy and other key industries, including healthcare and IT.

Gujarat is poised to emerge as the 'Energy Hub' of India and plans to generate 50 per cent of power from green technology. The state government has put into place an enabling framework, through policy and financial incentives, to encourage private participation.

With optimum conditions for wind and solar energy, Gujarat is the first state in India to set up a climate change department and revolving fund for promotion and research on green technology.

Given the next round of talks at COP-16 in Mexico and President Barack Obama's upcoming visit to India in November, Gujarat delegation's visit to the US to discuss renewable energy and broader commercial ties is timely in helping drive key agendas, a media release stated.

It will also be in preparation for the Vibrant Gujarat Summit, which will be held on 12-13 January, 2011 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India. The event is designed to allow interaction between industry leaders and policy-makers from across the globe, and increase investment flows into Gujarat.