Indian mango to reach US, pistachio to be imported

Bhopal, May 15 (UNI) Indian mango is all set to be exported to the US while pistachio would be imported and Lakshmi Vilas Palace, in Madhya Pradesh's Panna district, would be converted into a wellness centre tourist hotel.

During Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's discussions with industrialists, businessmen and investors at Los Angeles' Galliard Indian Restaurant today, a MoU was inked between industrialist Nupur Nagar and the State Tourism Development Corporation (MPSTDC) for converting the Palace, an official release said here.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Chouhan dwelt at length on the immense tourism development potential and investment opportunities in Madhya Pradesh.

''Our state is making all-out efforts to boost tourism and the budgetary allocation has been considerably enhanced. The Panna airstrip is being privatised,'' he added.

MPSTDC Managing Director Ashwin Lohani made a presentation on different aspects of tourism and investment prospects in the sector.

The Chief Minister held discussions with industrialists, businessmen and investors at a business meet organised at the City Centre by the US-Indo Business Council. Paramount Farm owner Mark Magson said that he would export pistachio to India and import mango. Madhya Pradesh is one of three states shortlisted. Another industrialist discussed contract farming.

As per a report in 'The New York Times', Mr Chouhan pointed out, an industrial renaissance is happening in India and ''made in China'' had to give way to ''made in India.'' ''The state has completed power projects ahead of schedule and foundations of power generation units have been laid. Uninterrupted power supply is still being made to industry,'' he claimed.

Mr Chouhan extended invitations to those present to attend the Global Investors Meet to be held here in October, the release added.

UNI