“We will provide the best infrastructure to industry in Punjab and I assure CII that we will make the State the investment destination of choice, We are focusing on the core needs of industry – power, infrastructure and technically skilled manpower – and are progressing very well in all directions, ” said S. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Dy. Chief Minister, Punjab, after inaugurating Destination Punjab, organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) at Amritsar in association with the Government of Punjab. The other dignitaries present at the inauguration included Shri Tikshan Sud, Hon’ble Minister for Local Bodies, Industries & Commerce & Parliamentary Affairs, Punjab, S.Navjot Singh Sidhu,, Member of Parliament, Sh. Shwait Malik, Mayor of Amritsar and Mr. Harpal Singh, Past Chairman of CII and Chairman Emeritus, Fortis Healthcare Ltd
Visibly impressed at the range of products and services on display at the Expo which is spread over more than 6000 sq.m with participation of more than 120 exhibitors, the Dy. CM emphasized that there should be a major interaction with industries in Punjab to bring about a big transformation in the State. Commenting upon the industry friendly infrastructure, he added, “Already private power players like GVK Power, L & T, Sterlite Energy etc. are setting up power plants in the state. With the commencement of these power plants, the state would be power surplus very soon. The additional power would be supplied to other cities as well.”
The Dy. CM added that the big cities of the whole state will be connected with four lane roads in the next two to three years. Further air connectivity in the state will get a shot in the arm with the commencement of International flights from Mohali International airport.and the upgradation of other airports in the State.
Also, in order to facilitate the Industry for organizing expo and conferences, he mentioned that the state is setting up Convention Centers in Punjab. Amritsar would having tow Convention Centres while Convention Centres at Mohali and Ludhiana will also be coming up..”
Talking specifically about Amritsar, he said a major attention is being given make Amritsar a tourism attraction of the world. The state Government spending Rs. 120 Cr. on new development projects at Holy city. He informed that a new Personal Rapid System was being developed for the city to ease congestion.
Earlier, in his Welcome Address, Mr. Harpal Singh, Past Chairman, CII and Chairman Emeritus, Fortis Healthcare Ltd. pointed out that in the world there has been a major economic shift with large companies looking at investing in the East. The efforts of CII are directed towards channeling these investments into and Destination Punjab is a step in this direction. As more investments pour into Punjab, it will a beneficial impact financially as well as socially on the State and help it overcome the problems of unemployment, drug abuse etc while also becoming a catalyst towards empowering women
According to Mr Pikender Pal Singh, Regional Director, CII Northern Region “CII’s prestigious events have always created an investment platform for the state, be it our Agrotech at Chandigarh, Industrial Expo at Haridwar or Ceraglass at Jaipur. With knowledge events like vendor development programs and focused sectoral discussions, CII is confident that Destination Punjab will promote the interest of the industry and state in a composite manner. We have already decided to institutionalize this event as an annual show keeping in view the enormous interest shown by the industry”.
“Major companies like Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra , Rail Coach factory , New Holland Fiat , Eastman Cast & Forge Ltd are participating in the Vendor Development Programme . These major companies will interact and identify MSMEs of Punjab to procure various products from them . We feel that this initiative will boost the MSMEs of Punjab” , stated Ms Kamna Raj Aggarwala , Chairperson , CII Punjab State Council .
The Mega Expo has been designed to be a platform for the business world to interact and forge partnerships and bring forth newer investments and entrepreneurship opportunities for the future of Punjab. The event which is a first-of-its-kind show which will benefit the key sectors like farm equipment, implements and machinery ; textile and textile machinery; engineering goods; auto and machine tools, leather and sports goods and tourist and hospitality.
