MADHYA PREDESH A SNEPSHOT

Madhya Pradesh (MP) is located in central India. The state covers an area 308,000 sq kms and has a population of over 60.3 million. Madhya Pradesh was originally the largest state in India until November 1, 2000 when the state of Chhattisgarh was carved out of the same. The state shares borders with Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. The state is divided into 48 districts (272 tehsils and 313 community blocks). MPs forest area constitutes 31 per cent of the total area of the state area and 12.44 per cent of the total forest area of India.

The states central location gives it the advantage of being the hub
for the national logistics network of India. MPs administrative capital is Bhopal and its largest city is INDORE

ECONOMIC PROFILE
It is ranked amongst the top four states in the country for industrial investments. State GDP growth rate: 5.57 per cent Per capital income: US$ 448 Net State Domestic Product (NSDP) at current prices (20072008): US$ 30.6 billion

The state has large mineral resources of coal, diamond, limestone, methane and so on.

Minor Forest Produce (MFP), such as Tenduleaves, salwood, teak wood and lakare
major contributors to the rural economy of the state.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY: The state has developed an industrial cluster at Pithampur and the Union Government of India, has sanctioned an auto cluster in the Pithampur industrial area. Pithampur Auto Cluster houses automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) such as Bajaj Tempo, Eicher Motors, Hindustan Motors, Kinetic Motors, and L&T, major tyre producing unit s by Bridgestone and ACC and about 30 auto component and ancillary units. The value of production in the cluster totals approximately US$ 620 million annually. 60 per cent of the auto industry in MP is dominated by auto component players. The state has total limestone reserves of 3,625.98 million ton spread across more than 15 districts.

 Seven major cement plants are operating in the state with an annual installed capacity of 15.97 million tones. According to the MP State Industrial Development Corporation forecast, the Damoh-Panna area and Bela-Pagra of Rewa have limestone deposits worth eight million tons and 20 million tons respectively. There is scope for further investment to the tune of US$ 2.5 billion in this sector.

AGRICULTURE: MP is the largest producer of soybean and produced 5.48 million tons in 200708, which accounted for 49.95 per cent of the national production. The state is also the largest producer of oilseeds and produced 6.35 million tons in 200708, accounting for 21.34 per cent of the national production The state leads in the production of spices and is the largest producer of garlic, accounting for 37 per cent of the total national production.

TOURISM
The tourism sector in MP has been identified by the state government as one of the key propellers of growth In 2008, the domestic tourist inflow number stood at approximately 22 million.

The foreign tourist arrivals were relatively less at 0.16 million.

The state government has shortlisted 18 major centers, which attract a

large number of domestic and foreign tourists, for comprehensive development

The government is also making concrete efforts to improve

air connectivity between MP and other Indian states. The state has taken initiatives to promote eco and adventure tourism and is also keen on promoting medical/ herbal tourism in association with private parties.

ULTRA MEGA PROJECT

The Central government is setting up Ultra Mega Power Projects in five locations in the country. The first project is coming up in MP. Sasan, a pithead location based on domestic coal availability, has been identified for setting up this project. The project would require an investment of about US$ 3.3 billion.

Super critical technology will be used in this project to ensure higher

efficiency and lower CO2 emissions.