Terming the revival of Industrial Sector in its full strength in near future in state as the top priority of the Punjab government, Industries and Commerce Minister, Punjab, Sunder Sham Arora has said that the state government is fully committed to evolve every step necessary to ensure more and more investments in industrial sector and promotion of tourism sector in Punjab.Mr. Arora, after inaugurating Punjab Day celebrations at Hamsadhwani Theatre organised by the Punjab Tourism and Cultural Affairs Department during the ongoing India International Trade Fair 2018, said that the tourism tagline of punjab goes `India Begins Here` and the same is true in more ways than one. The Iconic Golden Temple in Amritsar has been acknowledged as the most visited destination in the world as per London based Book of World Records. It is also cleanest religious place in India. Mr. Arora announced that the state has notified its first cultural policy and revised the tourism policy with an aim to promote cultural and natural heritage of the state.Mr. Arora said that the Punjab Government led by Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has notified Business and industrial policy-2017 under which signed 143 MOUs with renowned industrialists of the country focusing on investment to the tune of Rs. 4335 crore and this step would play a pivotal role in strengthening the industrial sector in Punjab and would generate employment opportunities on large scale as well. The state government is also giving special emphasis and providing incentives to the investors for the development and promotion of tourism in the state. The minister has said that punjab has taken a big leap in foreign tourist visits in the state and it is now ranking in the 7th position in the country.
With an aim to provide ease to the new investors, Punjab Bureau of Investment Promotion has been established as One-Stop Authority for approving new commercial and investment proposals, said Mr. Arora adding further that state has recently launched Business First Portal Website to provide platform for regulatory services.The Cabinet Minister revealed that in order to revive the traditional industries in the state the approval has been given to honey cluster in Bathinda, Wooden inlay in Hoshiarpur and to other few under MSME(Medium and Small Scale Enterprise) Scheme of the Central government. He also said the state government is laying special emphasis in development of traditional craft specially the handicraft such as phulkari, would inlay work with the involvement of department of tourism department. Mr. Arora also informed that the state government has also constituted District Level Micro Small Enterprises Facilitation Counsels in seven districts including Amritsar, Bathinda, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Patiala, Mohali and Sangrur under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioners so as to ensure early disposal of cases of delay in payments, disputes of interest and other ones at the district level. ``The main focus of the state government is to make the industrial sector as pivotal driver for strengthening the state’s economy and make it able for contribution in creating job opportunities, said Mr. Arora adding further that the main aim of the new industrial policy is to strengthen the economy of Punjab and the state government is fully committed to evolve every step necessary for ensuring the same. Renowned Punjabi singer Pammi Bai and this troupe enthralled the audience with Punjabi folk songs and bhangra. The Punjab Tourism and Cultural Affairs department honoured the chief guest and other dignitaries. on the occasion Director Punjab Tourism Mr. M.S.Jaggi, Joint Director Mr. Lakhmir Singh and Mr. Sukhdeep Singh Sidhu from PSIEC were also present.