COMMENTARY
INTERVIEWS
SPECIALS
CHAT
ARCHIVES

Government seeks to boost FDI through CD-ROM

Tara Shankar Sahay in New Delhi

In a bid to boost foreign direct investment in the country, the ministry of external affairs has issued a CD-ROM on India -- Priorities for the 21st century.

An external affairs ministry official said the unique multimedia guide to India for investors has about 30 minutes of video footage where the views of Union Industry Ministry Sikandar Bakht could be heard.

He said the CD-ROM also contained interviews of several Union secretaries, apart from related policies on the country's foreign investment.

He said the broad idea of the CD-ROM had been to convey a comprehensive picture about the evolving scene in India as the country moved towards the 21st century.

He further pointed out that industrial and investment policies of all the states and Union Territories had been featured along with the analyses of 20 different sectors, each highlighting the optional for growth and vast opportunities.

He said an economic environment section brought out the economic policies and the agenda of the government and described the present economic set-up. The CD-ROM also had a complete guide for foreign investors on policies and procedures on foreign investment, it was emphasised.

There are also several other interesting features like the Internet hub which highlighted the contents of over 40 investment related websites of India or the corporate focus section which had a contact database of over 600 listed Indian companies.

There is a date library which provided useful information about the various economic indicators. Besides, there are some interactive tools which further enrich the CD and enhance its practical utility. It was pointed out that with hyperlinks given for important websites, the CD virtually acted as a gateway to the larger datebase contained in most of the investment-related websites of India.

It was emphasised that the arrangement worked out with the World Links will facilitate distribution to all participants of the last Davos summit of the World Earth Foundation.

Copies of the CD are also being sent to all Indian missions abroad who will not only use it as a reference material and send copies to key local chambers of commerce or large corporate groups, but also use it as a presentational side while addressing investment promotion seminars or other such speaking opportunities.