The ‘Vision 2025' document, to be unveiled by the Tamil Nadu government, will contain clear-cut policies for promoting investments in infrastructure such as power, ports and ship building, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa said on Tuesday.

Addressing the national council of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) here, Ms. Jayalalithaa told a gathering of industrialists that the document would meet their expectations. There would be special emphasis on renewable energy such as solar power.

Calling upon the industrialists to repose faith in Tamil Nadu, the Chief Minister reiterated that her government was committed to renewing people's faith in good governance and in a socially just and equitable process of development.

“One of the immediate tasks is to improve the investment climate and make our State the most favoured investment destination,” she said.

Ms. Jayalalithaa recalled that according to the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy, Tamil Nadu was a top-ranking State during 2001-2003 in attracting investments in the manufacturing sector. It remained as one of the leading States in manufacturing till 2006 [when she was Chief Minister in her previous tenure]. “However, subsequently, in recent years, the performance of Tamil Nadu in attracting investments declined.”

After her government took over, she was witnessing “a very enthusiastic response” from the corporate world in making investments in the State. “It is, therefore, encouraging to note that investors are once again displaying their growing faith in the immediate and medium-term prospects of Tamil Nadu, not to mention the robust outlook for the long term. It will be the endeavour of my government to sustain and stabilise this environment of optimism.”

“Need active partners”

Pointing out that Tamil Nadu would be the corporate sector's ideal platform to generate wealth, Ms. Jayalalithaa said: “The State has a vision, which is to generate economic activity and add to the quality of life…This is a State that delivers, and we need active partners who can see growth both in the old and the new economy, and participate in the generation and propagation of wealth.”

Tamil Nadu was a leading State in the manufacturing sector, chiefly because of the “steadfast existence” of the automobile and component industry. Chennai was set to emerge as one among the top five global auto clusters. “My vision is to make Chennai the world's largest auto cluster.”

Declaring that her dream was to eradicate poverty and unemployment in the State, she said this was more ambitious than the Millennium Development Goals. “We are confident of achieving MDG targets before 2015.”

Acknowledging that there was nervousness in some sections of the corporate sector arising out of recent power cuts, the Chief Minister assured the industrialists that her government was making efforts on a war-footing to correct the situation. “Very soon, we will be able to make our State a power-surplus State once again,” she said, recalling that during her previous tenure of 2001-2006, the State had a comfortable power situation.

CII president B. Muthuraman suggested the formation of a joint task force comprising representatives of the State government and his organisation to deal with issues concerning industrial development.