Amritsar, Dec 7 (PTI) Chief Minister Amarinder Singh heretoday inaugurated the 12th edition of Punjab InternationalTrade Expos (PITEX-2017) with the promise of more steps by thestate government, including a review of the new industrialpolicy, if needed, to ease the processes for facilitatingbusiness and industry.
In his inaugural address, the chief minister said theexposition, a joint effort of Punjab government and PHDChamber that was initiated by him during his previous tenure(2002-2007), would pave the way for giving impetus tointernational trade and commerce, thus helping the state growand making the region a hub of industrial activity.
PITEX, which will see 34 MoUs worth Rs 2,268 crore beingsigned to generate 13,370 jobs in the state, is expected towitness much higher footfall than last year's 3 lakh –- anindication of the new mood in the state, said Amarinder.
He pointed out that since the Congress government hadtaken over the state's reins, MoUs worth Rs 50,000 crore hadalready been signed, with many more in the pipeline.
Reacting to the concern raised by PHD Chamber presidentAnil Khaitan, that as many as 32 permissions were still neededto set up a factory in Punjab, while setting up a power plantrequired 50, the chief minister said he would surely look intothe matter and, if needed, relook the industrial policy tomake sure that the 'Business First' philosophy is notcompromised.
Lamenting that the state lost its industrial hub at thetime of its division in 1966, the chief minister said hisgovernment was committed to rebuilding the same and was keenon industrial development across the state.
Pointing out that the state's agrarian advantagecontinues to exist, despite the problems faced by farmers, thechief minister said Punjab had contributed 51 per cent to thecountry's food stock even this year.
"It is time now to explore ways to expand the industry,which is essential for creating jobs and improving the livesof the people," he stressed.
Citing the incentives provided under the new industrialpolicy, launched recently by the Congress government in thestate, Amarinder Singh said the state government was ready toextend all help and cooperation to industrialists from Indiaand abroad to invest in Punjab.
Noting that institutions like PHD Chamber were playing asignificant role in promoting Punjab government's industrialdevelopment schemes, he further said his government wouldextend all support to ensure the success of PITEX-2017.
Enterprising businessmen from India and other countries,visitors and buyers participating in this event would begreatly benefited, he added.
The Congress government, he said, understood the concernsof trade and industry and was continuously striving to addressthese issues to provide a conducive industrial environment notonly in the state, but in the entire region.
Others present at the inaugural event including stategovernment minister Navjot Singh Sidhu, MP Gurjeet SinghAujla, Media Advisor to Punjab CM Raveen Thukral, MLAsSukhbinder Singh Sukh Sarkaria, OP Soni, Raj Kumar Verka,Tarsem Singh Attari, Sunil Datti, Harpratap Singh Ajnala,among others.
Apart from these PHD Chamber Punjab Committee ChairmanR S Sachdeva was also present. PTI SUNMKJ.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.