'Talks channel open with Tesla on factory plan'

The Gujarat administration has kept communication channels open with Tesla Inc. to support the US company's plans in India, Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel said in an email interview.

- Gireesh Chandra Prasad & Utpal Bhaskar

The chief minister said the state has set the goal of raising its contribution to the nation's economic output from a little over 8% now to 10% by 2026-27, by which time it hopes to become a $500 billion economy. The state is banking on game-changing projects in this journey, including the Ahmedabad-Mumbai high-speed rail project and creating a global manufacturing and trading hub while greening the economy and building a green hydrogen hub, the chief minister said. Edited excerpts:

How do you plan to achieve a 13% growth for Gujarat's economy in nominal terms for 2023-24, which is faster than the 10.5% growth projected for India?

Gujarat has consistently outperformed the national growth rate, rightfully earning the title of the 'growth engine of India'. Despite comprising only 5% of the country's population, Gujarat contributes over 8.3% to the national GDP (gross domestic product). In the previous year, the state accounted for 33% of India's total merchandise exports. Strong global ties and a diversified GSDP (gross state domestic product) make our economy exceptionally resilient.