The Hindu 01,09.2009
State team to study Singapore’s success as financial city
Special Correspondent
CHENNAI: The State Government will send a team to Singapore to study its success story as financial city, said Gayatri Sriram, Chairperson, CII Chennai zone on Monday.
Delivering the welcome address at a luncheon session on ‘Tamil Nadu business know-how & opportunities in Singapore,’ organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), she said that the State was in the process of setting up a Financial City near Chennai and an Aero Park in Madurai and had approached the Singapore Government for help.
“The Financial City should be granted SEZ status for companies to come and invest in it. CII will act as a catalyst. On Tuesday, the CII members will discuss this issue with Singapore Consul-General in Chennai, Ajit Singh,” she said.
Business delegation
Leading a 10-member business delegation to Chennai and Coimbatore, Oeji Ek Siang, Deputy Director (South Asia), Ministry of Trade and Industry, Singapore urged Indian businessmen to use Singapore as ‘Living Lab’ to strengthen the existing trade ties for mutual benefit.
“Come to our country, our R&D centres are ready to help you. Test your products, get feedback and find solution. Package and sell it to the rest of the world. If you are looking at urban solution such as urban mobility, infocom and security, environment, urban planning, healthcare, electricity and water, then Singapore is the right place,” he said.
“Though, we are comfortable doing business with China, we are shifting our focus towards India, Central Asia and South America. We are also exploring southern India,” he added.
In his special address, Mr. Ajit Singh said that they were bullish on India’s growth prospects with respect to trade and investment. N. Kumar, CII past president, said that Singapore was one of India’s best ambassadors in the global meet of nations. The business delegates arrived in Chennai on Sunday and will explore trade and investment opportunities in Tamil Nadu till September 4.
