The Hindu Business Line : 'Govt trying to make system more transparent'

"I AM sure the democratic process would exert its own pressure on the system to make it more transparent and find solutions to corruption," said Mr Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission. Mr Ahluwalia said the Government is trying to make the system more transparent. He was speaking at an interactive session entitled `Growth in an era of global competition' at the India Economic Summit jointly organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry and the World Economic Forum. He stressed that the Government is using information technology and communication to simplify procedures and "we have a more transparent system functioning than ever before."

The Minister of State for Tourism, Ms Renuka Chowdhury, said there is a need to promote Indian tourism in the Gulf countries.

Speaking at a session on `Tourism and hospitality: Rolling out the red carpet' during the summit, she said new airports are being developed under the Open Sky Policy, which would enable passengers to fly directly to their destinations. To enhance tourism within Asia, the Government is contemplating a Look East Policy with South East Asian countries. Next year has been designated as the India-China Friendship year.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister of Kerala, Mr Oommen Chandy, said India has attracted 3.4 million international and 367 domestic tourists in the current year. He said Kerala Tourism's journey towards success began with a shift of focus from mass to quality tourism and it was the first State to frame a law on tourism.

Dr Naresh Trehan, Executive Director and Chief Cardiovascular Surgeon, Escorts Heart Institute and Research Centre, said that within two decades, India would be a centre of excellence in healthcare.

He said the cost of healthcare is increasing in the US due to which patients prefer to come to India. The Government should issue medical visas and create separate windows in airports to help patients.

Mr Vijay Mallya, Group Chairman, UB Group, said India is the only country that provides tourism throughout the year. It is important as an employment generator.

Mr Rajiv Sikri, Secretary, East, Ministry of External Affairs, said India and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries are preparing to sign a free trade agreement by next year.

Speaking at a session on `India and the Middle East: Looking beyond oil' at the summit, he said, "This affords an opportunity to Indian companies for investing in the Middle East."

The Government and industry need to put their heads together to evolve a strategy to attract investments from the region and high-value tourists and students, he added.

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