NRIs await PM with a wish list

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Excitement is mounting as the Indian expatriates in the United Arab Emirates are waiting with a wish list when Prime Minister Narendra Modi undertakes his two-day visit to the emirates starting Sunday.
K.V.Shamsudheen, chairman, Pravasi Bandhu Welfare Trust, an organisation acting as a forum to help and guide the needy expatriates in various areas, said that over 2.5 million Indian expatriates are expecting a lot from the vibrant prime minister.
"Indian expatriates have been demanding for several decades to stop exploitation of airlines by jacking up the airfares during peak season, but nothing has happened," said Shamsudheen.
"We wish that the prime minister will utilise the skills of Indian skilled workers in the Middle East for the Skill Development Programmes of the Indian government," he added.
"India needs huge sums for infrastructure development in India and if the rules are simplified for non-resident Indians then there will be a huge flow of investments from the Indian expatriates," he said.
Shamsudheen said they have already written to the prime minister that the present investment scheme, Mahatma Gandhi Pravasi Suraksha Yojana for expatriates, be simplified so that all Indian expatriates can participate.
"These schemes must be available in all banks where any Indian expatriate can open a NRE (non-resident rupee) account. Also, we wish that the State Bank of India Asset Management Company should introduce a SBI Shariah Mutual Fund," he said.
He also pointed out that the UAE is known for its 'interest free ethical banking system and an Indo-UAE venture in this sector would be mutually beneficial.
Modi's visit would be first by an Indian prime minister to the UAE in 34 years after the then prime minister Indira Gandhi visited the emirates. - IANS