PM Narendra Modi woos Qatar businessmen, says India 'a land of opportunity'

DOHA: Lauding Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim Al Thani's role in promoting business ties between both nations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday reached out to the business community here advocating that India is a land of opportunities and they can take advantage of it. The Prime Minister, who kicked off his first engagement on the second day of his official visit here, held a meeting with the business leaders to discuss trade and investment. He is said to have persuaded the captains of industry to invest in India as the country has made doing business easier. "India is a land of opportunity. I have come to personally invite you to take advantage of this opportunity," Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Vikas Swarup quoted Prime Minister Modi as saying. "All of you recognize the potential of India. I will address the bottlenecks you have identified," he added. Highlighting the initiatives of his government, including the Smart Cities project, Prime Minister Modi pitched that infrastructure expansion, upgradation and manufacturing are his other priorities. "India's 800 million youth are its biggest strength. Infrastructure expansion and upgradation and manufacturing are my other priorities," Prime Minister Modi said. "Our projects for Smart Cities, metros, urban waste management etc are geared towards upgrading quality of life of people," he added. The Prime Minister during the meeting identified agro processing, railways and solar energy as very promising areas for Qatari investment. Earlier in a Facebook post, Prime Minister Modi said, "Look forward to meeting His Highness Sheikh Tamim whose landmark visit to India last year had ushered in a new momentum in our relations. I will have the honour to meet Father Emir who personally guided our relations for nearly two decades. This visit will nourish the historical bonds of friendship deeply rooted in people to people contacts, energy, trade and investment partnership." The two nations will sign agreements in various field including skill development and recognition of qualifications to facilitate workforce mobility and placement of youth in overseas jobs in Qatar. Signing of agreements will facilitate workforce mobility, skill development and placement of youth in overseas jobs in Qatar. Last evening, Prime Minister Modi interacted with the Indian workers here and assured them all assistance in solving the problems they face. He also shared meal with them. Prime Minister Modi held discussions on various issues of mutual interest and regional concern with his Qatari counterpart Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Al Thani last night over dinner.