With the ‘Gujarat Model’ of growth being practiced nationally and the Government pushing ahead with this model to achieve overall development, leaders from the UK are also eyeing greater engagement with Gujarat.

The UK Cabinet Minister for Energy and Climate Change Edward Davey on Thursday met the Chief Minister Anandiben Patel and announced the setting up of a full-fledged Deputy High Commission in Ahmedabad.

“This will help us deepen and broaden the ties between the UK and Gujarat. It will help us to build on the thriving business links that drive growth here and in the UK,” said Davey.

Patel also briefed the Minister on the State’s initiatives on the climate change front — of being the first Indian State to have a separate department for climate change issues.

During an interaction with students at the Indian Institute of Management – Ahmedabad (IIM-A) Davey also recognised Gujarat’s leadership role in achieving growth and prosperity for India.

At his special address at IIM-A, Davey said, “In the UK, like here, Gujaratis are drivers of economic growth. With entrepreneurship and excellence across countless fields, Gujarat matters to the UK economically too.”

Besides praising Gujarat’s growth model, Davey also took note of Gujarat’s marketing skills. “Gujarat is a driver of growth and prosperity, learning and culture for all India…. Those of you studying marketing will know Gujarat is now rightly selling this message to the world,” the Minister told the gathering, mainly comprising students from IIMA and other universities along with faculty.

On climate change issues, Davey said it was a false myth about making a choice between growth and environment. “I want to change the assumption that we, or India, need to choose between the environment on the one hand and growth and development on the other. That is a false choice. We need both and can have both.”

Showing their commitment towards climate concerns, Davey said the UK has set a target of reducing damaging greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent by 2050. He also noted that most European nations, including Germany, France, Italy and Spain are pushing for a growth-friendly climate policy.

Global clean energy investments have grown six-fold since 2004 to nearly €195 billion a year, noted the minister.

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