New York, Jan 25 (IANS): Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is to launch a Friends of Madhya Pradesh Conlave here next Sunday (Feb 1) to mobilise an international talent pool to promote the state's development, according to Consul General Dnyaneshwar M. Mulay.

Part of a campaign of economic diplomacy by the consulate in the world's financial capital, the event jointly organised with the Madhya Pradesh government aims to promote five areas of development - education, health, skill development, rural development and tourism - and encourage people to sponsor a project or undertake volunteer work in the state.

The Madhya Pradesh conclave is the latest in a series of events called “India State by State” that the consulate is hosting to help states implement Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for each of them to “set up its own global talent pool and utilize their experience and talent for country's development,” Mulay said.

“So far, we have covered Maharashtra, Gujarat, Punjab and Delhi,” he said. “The idea is to create holistic understanding about the states' overall economic environment, investment opportunities and infrastructure so that the overseas business community could come forward in promoting exports, investment and technology co-operation with the state.”

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj “is keen to advance to promote our overseas economic interests," Mulay said. “This is part of our outreach as well as economic diplomacy.”

The conclave is being held at the Avery Fisher Hall, the home of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, in the city's performing arts hub, the Lincoln Center. The hall seats about 2,750 people.