Haryana CM woos US investors with new industrial policy

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal has invited US businessmen to invest in his state saying Haryana's new industrial policy offered an ideal climate for doing business and getting best return on investment.

"Haryana has witnessed a remarkable growth in terms of infrastructure," he said at a reception hosted by the Indian ambassador Arun K. Singh for Lal, leading a 20-member delegation of officials and businessmen on a 10-day trip to the US and Canada.

While the state had only four national highways till now, nine national highways are being built to connect the districts, he said.

The state has an abundance of raw material for industries, which could be transported easily as a result of these new road projects.

The Western Peripheral Expressway, also known as Kundli-Manesar-Palwal Expressway, work on which has begun, would work to the advantage of investors.

Efforts were also being made by the state government to set up an aviation hub in Haryana, including the Maintenance and Repair Operation (MRO) facility for the aircraft industry.

Haryana being an agrarian state, the setting up and promotion of agro-based industries, food processing would remain a priority for the Haryana Government, Lal said.

Pharma, information technology, auto, defence production, aerospace and aircraft industries were other priority key sectors.

In his welcoming remarks Singh, India-US relationship had attained new heights with their cooperation deepening in the established sectors while new fields were being continuously added to widen it.

The ambassador said Lal's visit was an example of "collaborative federalism" and "competitive federalism" encouraged by the new Modi government whereby states complement the central government's efforts to win business abroad even as they compete with each other.

US-India Business Council and the Confederation of Indian Industry are hosting a lunch roundtable with the Haryana delegation on Wednesday at the US Chamber of Commerce.

Haryana's Industries and Commerce Minister Capt. Abhimanyu will also speak at the roundtable, while Principal Secretary Devender Singh will make a presentation on Investment Opportunities in Haryana.

(Arun Kumar can be contacted at arun.kumar@ians.in <mailto:arun.kumar@ians.in>)