The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham), Bihar Chambers of Commerce (BCC) and Bihar Industries Association (BIA) have decided to hold three investmarts in Patna in 2011, 2013 and 2015 in association with the state government to attract industrial investment of about Rs 4 lakh crore over the next five years.
While the investmart next year will aim at signing MoUs of about Rs 50,000 crore, the ones in 2013 and 2015 will target at facilitating investment MoUs of Rs 1.25 lakh crore and Rs 1.75 lakh crore, respectively.
The three associations have also proposed to partner for development of 14 new industrial clusters in the state on public-private partnership basis. With each cluster housing 1,800 to 2,000 industrial units, the proposed new clusters will house between 25,000 and 28,000 units, providing direct and indirect employment to six lakh people.
This was stated by Assocham national secretary general D S Rawat, BCC president P K Aggarwal and BIA vice-president S K Patwari while releasing an Assocham study on “Cluster Development for Inclusive Growth in Bihar” here on Sunday.
The 14 new clusters entail an investment of Rs 450 crore on basic infrastructure like roads, power etc. Land for these clusters would have to be provided by the state government, said Rawat.
He said these clusters have been proposed in Patna, Darbhanga, Madhubani, Barauni, Muzaffarpur, Katihar, Madhepura, Bhagalpur, Munger, Nawada, Supaul, Gaya, Bhojpur and Hajipur.
There is good scope for cluster-based development of agro and other industries in Bihar, Rawat said, as it is the largest producer of vegetables and second largest producer of fruits in the country. Maize, sugarcane, litchi, makhana, mango and aromatic rice are also grown in the state on a large scale.
Assocham has also suggested to the state government to set up a statutory Cluster Development Authority for proper utilization of funds.
Complimenting the state leadership on getting a massive mandate, Rawat said the government has sent a message that it has strong will power for the development of the state. Asked why earlier attempts to attract industries to the state had drawn a blank, Rawat said that the election has removed whatever misconceptions and apprehensions investors had about Bihar.
Stressing that investors put a premium on conducive environment, including good law and order and stability, he said the state government would now have to come out with new industrial, agricultural, food processing and biotechnology policies.
He hinted at the need for a change in bureaucratic mindset as well when he gave the example of principal secretaries receiving industrialists at the airport on the latter’s arrival at Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh for an investors’ meet in September this year. MoUs worth Rs 2.53 lakh crore were signed by MP during the two-day investors’ summit, he said, adding “Prospective investors should be made to feel that the state needs them.”
Read more: Trade associations to hold investmarts
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