Website launched for maiden Maritime India Summit in April

A website dedicated to the union government's Maritime India Summit 2016 to be held in April was launched on Wednesday by Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari at the ongoing 'Make in India Week' event here.

"A strong maritime sector will create economic growth and jobs. Realising this potential is our duty towards the nation. I am committed to bring the sector into focus; to achieve our goal of port-led economic development," Gadkari said while launching 'www.maritimeinvest.in' portal.

The website will facilitate investors and participants access detailed information about the summit, including registrations, the minister said.

He urged potential exhibitors and other participants to register themselves online and avail the "early bird discount" till March 10.

The Maritime India Summit, to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 14 at the city's Bombay Convention and Exhibition Centre, will be the maiden global summit to be organised by the shipping ministry.

"The Maritime India Summit (MIS) 2016 will comprise an Investors' Summit on April 14 and 15, 2016, along with exhibition and demo sessions spread over three days," the ministry said in a statement in New Delhi.

"Republic of Korea is the partner country for the MIS 2016 and will be represented by a high-level ministerial and business delegation. More than 50 other maritime nations have also been invited to attend the summit," it added.

Speaking at a seminar at the event on shipping and port sectors, Gadkari said many initiatives including modernisation and capacity addition have already been undertaken for ports with an investment of Rs.80,000 crore.

Similarly, an Indian Port Rail Company has been established with the thrust on railroad connectivity, he said.

He said the shipping ministry will issue tenders for appointment of a consultant by March for the proposed transhipment port at Colachel in Tamil Nadu.

Colachel in Tamil Nadu, Sagar in West Bengal and Wadhawan in Maharashtra would be the three new ports on the Indian coast, he added.

Addressing a separate seminar on roads and highways, the minister said the bureaucracy cannot be solely blamed for delays in awarding projects.

"The system is to be blamed for delays in approval processes. I strongly feel that one cannot blame the system every time as well. Political support will also play a crucial role in this," he said.