The Hindu Business Line : IMC plans to develop Mumbai as `Knowledge City' — In talks with political parties to develop infrastructure

`Together we can do wonders' is the chamber's theme of the current year. It has also decided to set up a `think tank' with prominent citizens, businessmen, retired administrators and academicians.

Mumbai , May 6

THE Indian Merchants Chamber (IMC) has started a dialogue with major political parties for development of Mumbai as a `Knowledge City' with modern social and physical infrastructure.

The Chamber considers that growth of software and hardware aspects of IT, telecom and allied services is important to meet international competition and offset the effects of outsourcing laws in the US and other countries. IMC desires to act as a `pressure group' with the Government, for addressing several issues and also labour reforms in relation to which it had organised a seminar of political parties, said Mr Nanik Rupani, President, IMC.

Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, he said to promote this development, IMC has considered pooling resources with all chambers of commerce. The organisation also wants to promote the concept of user charges for all services as well as infrastructure and work for the promotion of free trade.

`Together we can do wonders' has been selected as the chamber's theme of the current year. IMC has decided to set up a `think tank' with prominent citizens, businessmen, retired administrators and academicians as it's participants to create public opinion on national and international issues of economic, political and social significance that affect Government policies.

Mr Suresh Kotak, former President of IMC, opined it is necessary to provide an impetus to the growth of sectors like IT, telecom and allied services for development.

He said, ``It is important to create mutual business opportunities between the Indian diaspora and Indians. This could be done in areas of textiles, IT, telecom, biotechnology, pharma, capital market, finance, banking and insurance.''

But as on today no concrete plans exist in this direction.

IMC is a member of the task force on Mumbai City Development created by the Maharashtra Government.

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