The Union Minister for Shipping and Ports Sarbananda Sonowal has asserted that India’s potential in the Maritime Industry will transform the blue economy, making it a destination for maritime trade during Amrit Kaal.

Delivering his speech at The Week Maritime Summit at Chennai today, the Minister said that Tamil Nadu was one of the prime destinations in ancient days when maritime trade was done at a global level.

He said that the Government was keen in bringing back the same glory of India with the vision to generate more employment, wealth and sustainability. He said that the Central Government had attracted investments worth upto 100 billion dollars last year.

Recalling India’s commitment in G20 towards developing the India – Middle East- Europe Corridor, Mr. Sonowal said that the Sagar Mala, Sagar Sethu, Sagar Samriti were some of the projects aimed towards making India a favourite destination with sound infrastructure. He said that nine ports in the Country are in the global ranking and India is hoping to come in the top five nations of ship building Industry.

Pointing out that hydrogen manufacturing units will be a source of development in the future, he said that Indian ports are bound to become carbon neutral. Sonowal said that the Gujarat Maritime Cluster will be keen to address logistics of ports and seaways. The Minister said that inland waterways will also be a pathway for developing the economy of the Country.