Himachal a favorite destination for investment

Shimla,

For promoting   Ease of Doing Business, all the concerned departments have already taken various initiatives and a Common Application Form to give clearances for setting up of new units has been designed and would be operationalized soon. This was stated by Industries Minister Shri Mukesh Agnihotri while presiding over the Workshop on Ease of Doing Business organized by Confederation of Indian Industries here last evening.

Shri Agnihotri said that under Single Window System, approval of projects was being given in 45 days instead of 90 days and to attend the queries of entrepreneurs, a ‘Central Helpline Number would start functioning soon. He said that for the convenience of investors, the State Government was going to put all its existing Industrial Areas under Geographical Information System enabling them to finalize the location and land requirements.

Industries Minister said that Ease of Doing Business was the prerequisite the success of ‘Make in India’ mission and the State Government has already initiated the process to facilitate investor, well before the announcement of this Campaign.  He said the State has become the favorite destination for investment, which was evident from various past surveys conducted by agencies of repute. Facilitating Ease of setting up an enterprise and give boost to industrialization in State has always been in the priority list of the State Government, he added.

Shri Agnihotri said that creation of ‘H.P Investment promotion Cell’, setting up of New ‘State of Art’ Industrial Areas at Pandoga, Kandrori  and Dabhota, simplified procedure for purchase of land for industrial units under Section-118 of H.P Tenancy and Land Reforms Act and reduced rates of electricity duty,    reduced stamp duty, relaxed Floor Area Ratio norms for Industries,  were few incentives taken by the State Government was convenience to the investors.

Industries Minister said that the State Government was proactively and aggressively following the approach of “Industry by Invitation”. He said that with  logistic support and association of CII, a  high powered team headed by Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh  had organized Investor  meets  and interaction with investors at Mumbai, Bangluru, Ahemdabad and New Delhi.    These investor meets were highly successful and generated a lot of interest in potential investment in   the State, especially in projects related to Industry, Education, Agro based industry, Power and Tourism sectors, he added.

Shri Agnihotri said that since these meets, the State  have received  41 new project  proposals involving investment of Rs.2724.33 crore, which have been cleared and involve  employment generation of about  5834 persons. These meets were also immensely successful in retaining the confidence of existing entrepreneurs as well, as indicated by the fact that after these meets, 60 project proposals for expansion of these existing projects were received involving investment of   Rs.1355.57 crore and employment generation for 5110 persons, he said.

While appreciating the role being played by CII for promoting and encouraging industries in the State, Shri Agnihotri said that the State Government was open to any healthy and positive suggestions coming from any quarter for rapid industrialization of the State.

Additional Chief Secretary Finance Dr. Srikant Baldi said that workshops and interaction of this magnitude were important for better understanding and relation building between the Government and the industrialists.

Principal Secretary Industries Shri R.D. Dhiman detailed various initiatives being undertaken by the Industries department for making Himachal Pradesh a favorite destination for the entrepreneurs.

Chairman CII Northern Region Shri Shreekant Somany said that the State of Himachal Pradesh was fast emerging as an industrial hub of the country and credit of this goes to the investor friendly environment provided by the State Government. He said that the State was best suited for IT, bio-technology and pharma based industries, due to its pollution free environment.

Chairman, CII Himachal Pradesh Shri Rajiv Aggrawal welcomed the Chief Guest and other dignitaries on the occasion.

Vice Chairman, CII Himachal Pradesh State Council Shri Sanjay Khurana, presented vote of thanks.

Shri Jaijit Bhattacharya Partner KPMG gave presentation on ‘Ease of doing Business’ in Himachal Pradesh and Shri D. C. Rana Additional Secretary Industries gave a presentation on steps taken by the State Government for ensuring ease of doing business in the State.

Director Industries, Shri Amit Kashyap, Director Information and Public Relations Dr M.P. Sood, Member Secretary State Pollution Control Board Shri Vineet Kumar, senior officers of the State Government and represented of the Industry were present on the occasion.