GURGAON, Nov 4: Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal today said the state was all set to develop area specific industrial clusters to develop industry according to the strengths of that specific region.
Presiding over a special state session ‘Investment opportunities in Punjab’ during the Invest North Conclave organised by CII here, Mr Badal threw the ball in the courts of investors by showcasing the unique initiatives of the state government, right from developing world class infrastructure in the form of surplus power, best air connectivity in the country and road network.
Besides, he also explained governance reforms like getting rid of outdated laws making interaction of public with government officers a pleasant experience.
He said the Punjab government was fully committed to attracting at least Rs 1 lakh crore investment in the state in coming four years and the major investment sectors would be textile, agro processing, information technology, petrochemicals and downstream industry of refinery, automobile, sugar, hand tools, sports goods, hosiery/garments/knitting, road and infrastructure, education, medical tourism, real estate, entertainment, pharmaceuticals and metal and alloy products.
He said these industries to be promoted in specific areas after considering the local advantages.
Mr Badal informed that final touches were being given to the state’s new industrial promotion policy and expected that it would be announced by the January 2013.
He said the unique aspect of this proposed policy was that it was being framed after getting the vital inputs from different industrial representatives besides a core advisory group comprising of 17 eminent industrialists of the state.
“An investor wants a congenial atmosphere along with quality infrastructure and Punjab was all set to fulfill their aspirations as by the end of next year ours were the first power surplus state in the country”, Mr Badal said.
The Deputy Chief Minister added that with two international airports and approval of third one and five domestic airports they were the best air connected state in the country.
Similarly, he said, in next three years every city and town of the state would be connected with 4/6 lane expressway.
He said the state had initiated an ambitious project to upgrade the basic infrastructure in all 142 cities and towns at the cost of Rs 10,000 crore and the total maintenance of all infrastructure projects would be given to a single agency that too for next 15-20 years.
A master plan had been prepared for each city and town to check the trend of haphazard growth, he added.
Mr Badal also highlighted the point that with the possible full port status to Attari border, Punjab was all set to become star destination for investment as opening of South Asia trade would rewrite the business priorities in the country.
On this occasion, he also exhorted the business community to vote for such leadership which should not be indecisive and check the trend of lingering approvals causing inordinate delay in setting up of projects.
He expressed confidence that after a long time Union Railways Minister was from north and he would gave priority to the northern region and clear long pending proposals for extension of rail freight corridor up to Amritsar and other vital rail links. He exhorted the business community to become part of Punjab government’s endeavour for rapid industrialisation of the state.
Earlier, HPCL-Mittal Energy Limited CEO Prabh Dass and Trident Group Founder Rajinder Gupta appreciated the full support extended by the SAD-BJP government in setting as well as growing up of their industries. (UNI)
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