While the states have been blowing their own trumpet on how investor friendly their regimes are, the results will be out soon through a World Bank study on how the states rank on the ease of doing business.
Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today said the World Bank together with a professional agency could release the ranking of Indian states on ‘ease of doing business’ this week.
Sitharman was addressing a gathering of potential investors, diplomats and delegates from India and abroad at the 4th Invest North organised by CII to showcase the untapped investment potential of northern states today.
Applauding Punjab and Haryana for investor-friendly steps showcased at the Invest North Summit, Sitharaman said most of the states have taken a series of steps to remove red-tape and improve business environment. She said the states can no longer be red-tape-ridden states.
She said India is likely to be ranked better this year in the World Bank’s ‘Ease of Doing Business’ report as the government has taken several steps in this direction.
After the Prime Minister’s message to the industry to invest more, the Industry Minister also reiterated the message. “With the government having adopted a slew of measures in the past one year, I urge the industry to push forward, take risks and invest in various sectors as per your demographic and geographic preferences”, she added.
Showcasing the investment opportunities, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said to propel the state to a higher level of growth trajectory, the government has launched the “Enterprises Promotion Policy-2015”.
He said this policy envisions growth of the state GDP at a rate higher than 8%, catalysing an investment of $16.6 billion (Rs 1 lakh crore) and generating employment opportunities for more than 4 lakh persons. The main focus for creating jobs will be on the small and medium enterprises sector, the Chief Minister said.
He said he had recently led a delegation to the US and Canada, where they were able to garner investment proposals worth Rs 10,000 crore.
Hard selling Punjab as an investment destination, Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal said the government is committed to do away with cumbersome regulations and procedures and promote self-certification by the industry.
Badal announced offering management of municipal services in 140 towns of Punjab to investors at the Invest North conclave here.
“We have created Invest Punjab to save the industry from applying at 23 separate departments for various approvals at one point. We guarantee all approvals and clearances in just 30 days”, he added.
Haryana’s Enterprises Promotion Policy-2015
The policy envisions growth of the state gross domestic product at a rate higher than 8%, catalysing an investment of Rs 1 lakh crore and generating employment for more than four lakh persons
Sukhbir Badal hard-sells Punjab
Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal said the government is committed to do away with cumbersome regulations and procedures and promote self-certification by the industry.
