Underlining the state's immense investment potential, Punjab Chief MinisterS. Charanjit Singh Channi on Monday asked the private investors to come andinvest more aggressively here to fully explore and leverage the existingopportunities in sectors including Agro processing, Pharmaceuticals, Iron &Steel, Health, Education andmanufacturing.
Pointing out further, the Chief Minister said that Punjaboffers the best & most conducive business environment. Uninterruptedquality power supply, no history of labour issues, prompt clearances and bestlogistical connectivity reflect on the pro-industry climate of our state. I urge you all to be a part of Punjab’sprogressive momentum.
Our continous focus is to further streamline the approvalprocesses to facilitate hassle-free industrial development with sole aim tomake Punjab an industry-friendly state, the Chief Minister told a galaxy of topindustrialists including Chairman Trident Group Rajinder Gupta, Mr. Sachit JainVice Chairman & MD Vardhman Group, Onkar Singh Pahwa from Avon Cycles, lCEO HMEL Prabh Das, Chairman &MD Hero Cycles Pankaj Munjal, Vice Chairman International Tractors A S Mittal,and CEO Swaraj Mahindra Harish Chavan and others whom he hosted over a luncheonthis afternoon.
Assuring the industry of every possible support incarrying out their business ventures, the Chief Minister said that theindustrial sphere should Centre its energies on developing cottage and, smallscale industries and also involve the farming community in the process."If you are empowered then Punjab would be strengthened", said Mr.Channi adding that agro based industry occupies the most vital spot afteragriculture and there would be no shortage of skilled manpower as a SkillUniversity is coming up at Sri Chamkaur Sahib.
Flanked by Cabinet Ministers, Chief Secretary AnirudhTewari along with top administrative brass, the Chief Minister invited all theIndustry bigwigs of the country for the 4th edition of the Progressive PunjabInvestors Summit which he announced would be held this year on October 26th and27th. The showpiece event would articulate Punjab's unique business propositionmodel by highlighting the conducive investment environment and the robustconnectivity and logistics network it offers, the Chief Minister averred duringthe high-table meeting.
He further assured the industry leaders that hisgovernment will walk up to the industry and sit with them to make appropriatepolicies/interventions. To make Punjab regain its pristine glory and rightfulplace, we need to create gainful employment opportunities through industry forour youth, he pointed out adding that for achieving sustainable growth we needto utilise the technical expertise and know how of industrial ventures set upoutside Punjab too.
Underscoring the need to proactively engage with Punjabbased industry, the Chief Minister disclosed that opening day of the Summitwill be held virtually with pan India industry leaders adding that this time aspecial State Session will be held in the Summit in the industrial capital ofthe state at Ludhiana on the 27th October.
Punjab ranks 2nd in the logistics ranking in the country,he pointed out urging the business leaders to make Punjab their next investmentdestination. He assured that the industry will get a very robust and peacefulindustrial ecosystem and a disruption free environment in the state.
Assuring them of proactive government assistance, theChief Minister said his government would leave no stone unturned to attractmaximum investment as it is the most efficacious way to ensure all round andsustainable growth mechanism for future generations. He assured the industrythat his doors are always open for them and he would like to engage withindustry pro-actively and make policies as suited to the industry.
Deeply appreciating the role played by leaders of Punjabbased industry in creating employment and value addition to the economy of thestate, he assured that rapid industrialisation is one of the foremostpriorities of his government.
Over the last few years, Punjab has established itself asone of the fast emerging industrial and manufacturing powerhouses in thecountry. It has a strong network of industries in the food processing, Agrimachinery and auto components, agro-based parts, bicycle and bicycle parts,sports goods, light engineering goods, metal and alloys, chemical products, andtextile sectors, the Chief Minister pointed out.
Lauding the Punjab Bureau of Investment Promotion (PBIP),the Chief Minister said the Bureau has played a pivotal role in promotingPunjab as a leading investment destination. The bureau has been adjudged theTop Performer (highest category) in the rankings of Investment PromotionAgencies across 20 states in the country announced by Invest India and IFC(World Bank). He further announced that Invest Punjab will be given more powersin the coming times so that industry can totally rely on this single agency forall their approvals.
Speaking on the occasion, the Finance Minister ManpreetSingh Badal assured the industrial captains that they would have direct accessto the State bureaucracy and the political class thus ensuring no difficulty inease of doing business in Punjab. He further said that Patti - Makhu rail linkis our top priority besides developing focal points. The stress is on living upto the faith that the old investors have exhibited in the State apart fromgoing for new investors, said Finance Minister.
Welcoming the captains of industry to Punjab, theIndustries and Commerce Minister Mr. Gurkirat Singh Kotli said that theupcoming investor summit would be a perfect opportunity for holdinginteractions with the leading players of the industry so as to make them equalcontributors in the growth story of Punjab.
The Chief Secretary Mr. Anirudh Tewari mooted the idea ofcreating industrial regions in the State besides emphasizing exploringpossibilities in the petro-chemical sector in Bathinda. The State Government isalso focusing on encouraging small scale food industry in Punjab, added theChief Secretary.
Mr. Sachit Jain from Vardhman Group while lauding thework culture in Punjab, said that the power cost must be reasonable in theState apart from better road connectivity to the industrial concerns. Hespecifically asked for improvement in the civic infrastructure in Ludhianawhich is an industrial hub of the State.
Pankaj Munjal emphasized e-cycles as the futuristicconcept besides giving fillip to the Research and Development in the State.
Mr. Anup Vector from Cremica Group sought a separatepolicy to boost the Food processing industry in Punjab.
Upkar Singh from New Swan group said that the skilling of youth is must to make thememployable in tune with the changing needs of industrial sector besidesupgradation of technical education in the polytechnic colleges of the State.
Mr. Ashwani from Victor Tools sought expedition of the Patti-Makhu Rail link forbetter connectivity to Mundra Port & Mumbai thus making a difference of 250KM.
Bhavdeep Sardana from Sukhmit Starch and Chemicals made acase for strengthening the steel, textile and food processing industries.
The doyens of industry also demanded the creation of anexport hub required apart from an export cell as well as exploring potential ofeach district for making specific plans, creation of industries focussing onemployment Generation.