AMRITSAR:  Sharing the visions and goals of Government of Punjab, over a dinner meeting  Kenneth Robert Livingstone, Mayor of London, here in the city, Parkash Singh Badal,Chief Minister,Punjab said that Government of Punjab is committed to make Punjab, a 'natural investment destination' by offering world-class road infrastructure and air-connectivity for which already major initiatives have been taken  and programmes have been planned.

In a official release issued here Saturday, Badal said, “In line with this,  Government of India has already approved the setting up of an International Airport at Mohali and    in the leading industrial city, Ludhiana a presitigious project of Metro Rail Services has been initatiated at an estimated cost of Rs.3000 crore.  Similar projects at Amritsar  and Mohali are also being planned,"he added.

Population of Punjab is 2.5% of the total Population of India but it contributes 50% of the food grains required in the country,said Badal.For a long time,economy of Punjab has been  dependant on Agri-based activites but with diminishing returns on produce as compared to high cost of Agricultural inputs, agriculture is no more a profitable venture. So, Government is looking forward to propel industrialization in a big way, said Badal.

"We are keen to export our horticulture and agriculture produce to the United Kingdom. We have Cargo facilities at Amritsar International Airport",he added.

Appreciating the efforts of Government of Punjab to promote bilateral business between Punjab and UK, Kenneth Robert Livingstone, Mayor of London, said that nearly a hundred million Punjabis living in UK are contributing a lot to their economy.  So, a chance to further the business with Punjab would be a welcome opportunity. 

 Duly recognizing the status of India in the global market, Livingstone said that 21st century is the dawn of Asian Centaury as was 19th century the British century and 20th century was the American century.  World recognizes India together with China and America as the G-3 nation, he added.  Mayor of London said that Britain is the 3rd largest investor in the Indian market and would undoubtedly like to further the business opportunities between two countries. 

Kenneth Robert Livingstone promised to establish a partnership between city of Amritsar and city of London and invited. Shavet Malik, Mayor of Amritsar to come to London to sign an agreement on the same.