The Centre is committed to providing safe and secure environment for investment in the country for overseas Indian community. Addressing a press conference on forthcoming Pravasi Bhartiya Divas, PBD-2013 in New Delhi today, Overseas Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi said, his ministry is inviting all Chief Ministers to participate in the event so that overseas Indian investors could have a first hand knowledge of the opportunities for investement in their mother country.

Replying to a question on engaging the less privileged Indians living abroad, Mr Ravi said the overseas ministry has been organising conferences abroad to meet those Indians who could not afford to buy tickets for coming to India to participate in the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.

AIR correspondent adds the 11th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas will be held in Kochi in Kerela from 7 to 9 January next year. The three-day flagship event of the Overseas Indian Affairs Ministry will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and President Pranab Mukherjee will deliver the valedictory address on January 9.

The theme for the convention is 'Engaging Diaspora: The Indian Growth Story', and there will be a special session on the NRIs in the Gulf.