Abu Dhabi: India, which is negotiating a Free Trade Agreement with the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council, today made a strong pitch for greater investment from the UAE, asking the oil-rich country to be a part of its growth story, especially in the infrastructure sector, reports PTI.
"India is an attractive destination for foreign investment. Therefore, it is only natural that we expect Abu Dhabi to have a significant presence in the Indian economy," president Pratibha Patil said, addressing a function organised by the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority manages one of the largest sovereign funds in the world.
The strong fundamentals of the Indian economy combined with a young population will continue to generate huge demand in every economic sector in India, especially in the area of infrastructure, Ms Patil told the meeting, which was also attended by the UAE minister for foreign trade Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi.
India and the UAE are the largest trading partners with a turnover of $43 billion and the Gulf country is also home to the largest expatriate Indian community (numbering 1.75 million).
"It is only natural that we expect Abu Dhabi, being home to some of the largest sovereign funds in the world, to have a significant presence in the Indian economy," said Ms Patil, who is here on a five-day maiden official visit.
India has embarked on an ambitious programme of disinvestment in its public sector undertakings and has a huge requirement for developing basic infrastructure like roads and ports, power generation and communications, among others, she noted.
"There are also a large number of Special Economic Zones in India that beckon UAE investors," said the president.
Besides, the president said that there was a need for reactivating the India-UAE Joint Business Council and increasing the frequency of exchanges between apex chambers of commerce and industry.
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