Gujarat releases vision document for new industrial policy

Focuses on skilled manpower, innovation

In its run-up to the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2015, Gujarat government on Thursday announced the vision document for its upcoming new industrial policy. The document envisaged the government's aim at developing Gujarat as a global manufacturing hub, in the context of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make in India' programme.

As per the vision document, the focus under the new industrial policy will be towards skilled manpower, innovation and entrepreneurship, among others.

Elaborating on the new industrial policy, Saurabh Patel, minister of finance, Government of Gujarat stated that once promulgated, the new industrial policy will result in the state emerging as a platform for Make in India initiative following which the growth of Gujarat's industries will provide an encouragement for other states.

"The new industrial policy 2015 will chalk the novel way for Gujarat to become a global manufacturing hub. The policy will lead to increased production with better productivity with environmentally-friendly industries," Patel stated in an official communique.

Skill development along with value-addition in the existing lines of businesses will be emphasised by the policy as per the document. Moreover, the government aims to encourage innovation and technology transfer and providing last-mile connectivity through the new industrial policy. According to the document, the policy will lay emphasis on 'idea-to-innovation', among other things.

The policy will also encourage differently abled, women, jobless and young entrepreneurs by providing interest assistance.

Patel added that in the first phase of industrial development, Gujarat succeeded in attracting global investors to invest in the state, while in the second phase, it became largest employment provider state. But in the third phase, the state will emerge as front-runner in the innovative production," Patel further stated.

The new industrial policy 2015, according to the vision document, has provisions to provide skilled workforce for the industry. To achieve the same the policy entails setting up of Centers of Excellence and suitably changing the academic curriculum at technical institutions so as to prepare the skilled workforce, the document mentioned.