Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah declared on Thursday that India has made a decisive entry into the global semiconductor industry and is poised to transition from self-sufficiency to becoming a major exporter. The announcement came as he presided over the Madhya Pradesh Growth Summit in Gwalior, where he unveiled investment proposals worth a staggering Rs 2 lakh crore.
Semiconductor Ambition and Record Forex Reserves
Addressing a gathering of investors and industry leaders at the Mela Ground, Shah expressed confidence in India's technological leap. "Even though we entered the semiconductor industry late, we have made a significant impact, and soon we will not only become self-reliant in the semiconductor sector but also start exporting," he stated. The Minister also highlighted the nation's robust economic health, noting that India's foreign exchange reserves have crossed a historic $700 billion mark.
Emphasizing the transformative scale of the investment commitments, Shah pointed out that the Rs 2 lakh crore infusion would be a game-changer for regional development. "Today, an investment of Rs 2 lakh crore is being made, but no one realizes how significant this investment is for this region and its people. If the state does not have balanced development, it cannot progress because every region has potential," he explained.
Blueprint for Balanced Regional Growth
Shah credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for initiating the structured investment conclave model with 'Vibrant Gujarat' and praised Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav for adopting a regional focus. He asserted that the investment foundation programs launched in MP would ensure balanced development across the state.
The Minister specifically addressed the development of the Gwalior and Malwa-Chambal regions, traditionally known for cotton. He said past struggles due to unfair pricing are being resolved through initiatives like the MP MITRA Park (Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel), based on the 5F model. "The largest MP MITRA Park in the country is in MP. This will benefit not only farmers but also industries like textiles and tourism, which provide the most employment," Shah noted.
He identified Madhya Pradesh's central geographic location as its biggest strength for industrial growth. "MP's biggest advantage is its geographical location. Half of India can be supplied with minimal transportation costs," he said, advocating for symmetric industrial development across regions connected to South India, Delhi, and Western MP.
Infrastructure Leap and Startup Surge
Showcasing the state's progress, Shah revealed a 17% rise in irrigation coverage and mentioned that MP has won the Krishi Karman award seven consecutive times, surpassing Punjab and Haryana. On infrastructure, he cited surplus electricity, improved cleanliness rankings, the country's lowest metro operation costs, and expanding multi-modal logistics parks.
Madhya Pradesh has also emerged as a leader in entrepreneurship, according to the Minister. He said the state boasts a vibrant startup ecosystem across agriculture, food processing, minerals, renewables, textiles, pharma, and tourism. In a remarkable statistic, Shah highlighted that nearly 50% of startups are run by women, and the state registered an impressive 4.57 lakh new MSME units in a single year. "MP is on its way to becoming a hub for the entire country. Startups and innovation have taken it to new heights," he added.
Comparing the current infrastructure expansion to the UPA era, Shah provided striking figures:
- National highways expanded from 90,000 km to 1,50,000 km added since.
- Four-lane highways grew from 18,000 km to 46,000 km.
- Rural roads increased from 3,81,000 km to 7,84,000 km.
- Airports rose from 74 to 163.
- Metro connectivity expanded from 5 cities to 23.
- Optical fibre reach jumped from 100 panchayats to 2,14,000 panchayats.
He also mentioned that India now leads in real-time digital transactions and vaccine manufacturing, with 60% of the world's vaccines now made in India. On railways, he noted that from having no Vande Bharat trains earlier, 164 are now being manufactured, with parts also produced in Madhya Pradesh.
Concluding with a message to the youth and investors, Amit Shah asserted that Madhya Pradesh's potential is so vast that one can "sow rupees and earn crores," stressing that regionally balanced growth is the key to building sustainable and successful industries for the future.
