“The Punjab Government under the visionary leadership of the Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh considers it an article of faith to make Punjab stand tall among the highly industrialised states of the country and for that to happen the faith of the investors need to be restored regarding which the government is sparing no effort.” This was disclosed here today at Hotel Taj by the Local Government, Cultural Affairs and Tourism Minister, Punjab, Navjot Singh Sidhu while laying the foundation stone of the ASSOCHAM Regional Headquarters which would come up at Mohali.Outlining his vision for putting economy of the state on firm footing , the minister said that the Punjab Government is ready to facilitate ASSOCHAM for the growth of the state on all development centric parameters. He further said that additional sources of income need to be generated to propel Punjab into the top league and the ASSOCHAM could prove to be a vital link in this.Describing the focus on the Service and Manufacturing sectors of great significance, the minister said that any roaring economy of the world keeps these areas in prime focus always and cited the success stories of the USA, Germany, England and Singapore as the main examples to drive home his point.
Mr. Sidhu further said that Gurgaon which was an isolated place from industrial development point of view a few decades ago has now become the industrial propeller and said that he sees no reason why Punjab cannot occupy the same place of pride.Dwelling more on the development front, Mr. Sidhu said that the tremendous potential that the sectors of tourism, small and medium industries, creation of landbanks, food processing, aerospace, defence manufacturing, tactical textiles hold needs to be harnessed to the utmost extent possible besides making technical advancements in tune with the changing times to galvanise Punjab into a booming economy.Turning his focus to the Single window system, Mr. Sidhu batted for streamlining it so as to facilitate the setting up of industrial infrastructure and mentioned Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka where various incentives and facilities to accelerate industrial growth have been provided.In his address on the occasion, Mr. Sandeep Jajodia President Of ASSOCHAM said that Punjab is a nursery of entrepreneurs and need of the hour is to concentrate on skill development to tap the potential that the state holds. He also favoured forging partnerships with the technical education institutions of the state.On the occasion, Mr. D.S. Rawat Secretary General Of ASSOCHAM presented vote of Thanks.