State makes pitch to Silicon Valley at TiEcon 2015.
AB Wire
WASHINGTON, DC: Uttar Pradesh, home to roughly a sixth of India’s population, is making a huge push to involve people of UP origin living in the United States and other countries in the state’s development through its NRI Department.
“We want the people of UP origin in the United States to be involved in the development and growth of the state,” Madhukar Jetley, an advisor to the Department, which was formed a year ago, told the American Bazaar on Saturday. “We want the diaspora to be part the development journey of the state of UP.”
Jetley was in the United States leading a delegation of UP government officials to the TiEcon, an annual conference of entrepreneurs hosted by the TiE, or The Indus Entrepreneurs. The 22nd TiEcon was held in Santa Clara, CA, on May 15 and 16. He spoke to the Bazaar in Washington, DC, during a short visit to the US capital before he returned to India Sunday.
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Jetley, who also advises the Uttar Pradesh government’s Externally Aided Project Department and has the rank of a minister of state, said the state welcomes Indian Americans and the UP diaspora in the United States to participate in “every aspect of development.” From transferring technology and upgrading the state’s infrastructure, to building additional classrooms in schools and constructing washrooms in villages, the state government is open to involving the diaspora in a number of areas, he said.
Since it was formed a year ago, the NRI Department has made a lot of progress in reaching out to and connecting with the UP diaspora around the world, including in the United States, he said. “The state government has addressed a number of issues concerning the diaspora that were brought to its attention through the Department’s website UPNRI.com,” he added.
There are no figures available about the size of the UP diaspora in the United States. However, Jetley said his Department is currently in the process of collecting data on persons of UP origin.
According to Jetley, the Department addresses any issues or problems those from Uttar Pradesh living abroad may face, or their family members living the state may face. Among other things, it also issues an “NRI card” certifying that the holder is from Uttar Pradesh, which would allow communications with state officials seamless.
The UP government has also launched an NRI Corporation, which has 12 offices across the state.
TiEcon participation
Jetley told Bazaar that UP’s participation in TiEcon was in keeping with the mission of the NRI Department to involve the UP diaspora “in this part of the world and to see that whatever they can do in order to join the journey of the growth of the state.”
At TiEcon, Uttar Pradesh was showcased as a great investment destination, especially in sectors such as solar energy, manufacturing, healthcare and skill development.
Jetley said he got great response from the conference delegates. “Silicon Valley, the innovative center of the world, especially for information technology companies, andTiEcon being the largest conglomeration of entrepreneurs in the world, they could easily see the potential of Uttar Pradesh,” he said. “They told us that they have actually started thinking about UP as a destination [for investments]. They came up with some ideas about what they can do in Uttar Pradesh, and discussed them with senior officials from Uttar Pradesh who were part of my delegation.”
A memorandum of understanding with TiE was signed to “promote UP as a destination for investment and for information technology companies,” he said.
During the visit, the UP delegation privately met with officials of a number of companies. “I cannot name the companies, but definitely we have got great responses from several companies,” Jetley said. “They have said they will be engaging with the state of UP and the government of UP to ensure that they can actually explore the opportunities offered. They are very enthusiastic about the state government’s initiative.”
The official said one of the advantages of starting business in Uttar Pradesh is its proximity to Delhi and the National Capital Region and the easy connectivity by air and road. He also referred to other incentives that the government of Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has offered, such as 24/7 power supply.
Jetley said the UP NRI Day, which was launched this year, was also part of the government’s outreach to the diaspora. The next UP NRI Day will be held in Agra in January. The official said the UP government has requested the central government to consider hosting the next Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, the annual jamboree held to mark the contributions of Non-Resident Indians.