Bhupendra Patel

Gandhinagar, 02 July (HS). French Ambassador to India Dr. Thierry Mathu paid a courtesy call on Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel in Gandhinagar on Tuesday. Patel mentioned the warm relations between France and India in this meeting and said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is moving towards becoming a world friend. The Chief Minister held detailed discussions in this meeting so that the expertise that France has in organizing the Olympic Games can also be availed in the upcoming 2036 Olympics to be held in Gujarat.

In this context, he said that Gujarat wants to take the help of France's knowledge and skills in the infrastructure and other facilities required for the Olympic Games. The Chief Minister also showed interest in investing France's expertise to use this infrastructure for the long term after the conclusion of the Olympic Games. The French Ambassador expressed keenness to increase relations with Gujarat in the renewable energy, ports and sports sectors. Referring to the presence of the French delegation in the Vibrant Summit 2024, he also said that two French industry groups have announced investment in this summit. Dr Mathu told in the meeting that he also visited the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) and the Indian Institute of Design (NID) in Ahmedabad. He said that he is considering starting an educational campus in GIFT City in collaboration with Mahatma Gandhi International School.

While giving details of the facilities available in GIFT City and the features of GIFT City to the French Ambassador, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said that GIFT City has developed as an International Finance Tech City in the last 10 years. The country's first International Financial Service Center is functioning in GIFT City. Not only this, the benefits of an entire ecosystem of emerging areas like Fintech, IT & ITES, Artificial Intelligence can also be availed in GIFT City. Apart from all these areas, the French Ambassador also discussed about partnership with Gujarat in sectors like Renewable Energy, National Maritime Heritage Museum.

Patel assured the state government's support to France in providing land for renewable energy production, selection and allotment of land. Additional Chief Secretary to Chief Minister Pankaj Joshi, Additional Chief Secretary of Industries Department S.J. Haider, Secretary to Chief Minister Avantika Singh, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) A.B. Panchal, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) Rajkumar Beniwal, Managing Director of Industrial Extension Bureau (Indext-B) Gaurang Makwana etc. were present in this meeting.