Punjab most favoured investment destination, says World Bank
Monday, 10/09/2012
http://epaper.dailypostindia.com/Details.aspx?id=47707&boxid=58611&uid=&dat=2012-09-10
Chandigarh : A study conducted by World Bank has declared Punjab as the most favoured place for investment across the country and termed as future growth engine that would propel the national economic growth.
Disclosing this here on Sunday, Industries and Commerce Minister Anil Joshi said that in a latest study of World Bank about the investment environment in the country, Punjab has been declared as a most preferred destination for investors.
He said, “The study of World Bank was based on various parameters including record investment by the incumbent government on the infrastructure such as roads, air and rail connectivity and incentives announced by Punjab government.” The World Bank study specially talked about the Integrated Check Post (ICP) opened in Attari and Rs 21,300 crore worth Guru Gobind Singh Refinery at Bathinda, which it felt would change the face of industry in the state.
Joshi said that in the past, investors were facing a big problem of electricity shortage, which is going to become the thing of the past as in next one year, all three under-construction thermal plants would become operational in the state.
“ICP at Wagha border would prove to be a boon for trade in Punjab as it was a natural trade route to Central Asia from centuries.” he stated.
He said that keeping in view the large interests of traders, Union government should enhance the number of items to be exported via ICP from 137 to 6,000 as in Mumbai port.
Minister also stated that, Punjab government has set an investment target of Rs 1 lakh crore in the state and to meet this, he has already held series of meeting with giant industrialists in New Delhi.
He said that due to the efforts of the SAD-BJP government, many world-class industrial houses like Videocon has announced to invest in Punjab.
