Focus on manufacturing to reduce dependence on imports: Narendra Modi

While the United Progressive Alliance government is battling a trade deficit with the import bill still pretty high and the manufacturing sector in the red, Bharatiya Janata Party's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi has a panacea.

The Gujarat chief minister said on Friday that the country should focus on the manufacturing sector, particularly electronics and defence, to reduce the high dependence on imports and ensure inclusive growth. " Electronics imports have a big share in our overall import basket.

We must focus on manufacturing, particularly in strategic sectors like defence," Modi said during the 25th leadership summit of the National Association of Software and Services Companies here through a webcast. Modi said that the country is facing several challenges, but these can be converted into golden opportunities.

Chalking out his vision for the information technology sector, Modi said, "I see IT as a change agent. It empowers, connects and can bind isolated parts of the nation and create harmony. IT can join people with governments, bridge the gap between demand and supply, and can bring us closer to knowledge. Just like the British built bridges and railway lines, information highway network can today play a very big role in transforming the nation," he pointed out.

Modi said that while there is talk about inclusive growth, what is required along with this is inclusive infrastructure. " We will put the country on the road to fast inclusive development." Modi also said that e- governance is the most effective form of governance and his state has taken several initiatives in this regard to make life easier for people.

Courtesy: Mail Today