Gujarat government announces industrial policy for 2015

The Gujarat government today announced its new industrial police for 2015 aimed at making the state a global manufacturing hub, ahead of the Vibrant Gujarat Summit set to begin from January 11.
Announcing the new industrial policy, Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel said it would play a pivotal role in realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make in India' dream and make Gujarat a global manufacturing hub, said an official release issued here.
Speaking on the industrial policy, Gujarat Finance Minister Saurabh Patel said the state government has made special provisions for start-up businesses.
"Around 60 per cent of Gujarat's population is in the age group between 15 years and 59 years. Our aim is to prepare these people to start their own businesses instead of merely looking for job opportunities. We want to motivate 'start-ups' through this new industrial policy," Saurabh Patel said.

Key focus areas of this policy include infrastructure development, simplification of labour laws and motivation of new innovations through technology transfer.
Besides, it would also focus on incentives for youth, women, scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and handicapped entrepreneurs, assistance to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) sector as well as assistance for upgrading technology.

"Through this policy, we wish to boost manufacturing here. For that, we will take steps to create a business friendly environment. We will also focus on reducing pollution by promoting use of clean and green energy as well as setting up zero-effluent discharge plants," Patel said.

"Industries like auto components, engineering, drugs, cement and chemicals are flourish in Gujarat. Now, we wish to boost value addition in these existing resources, which will create new jobs and reduce imports," he added.
He said under the new policy, special incentives would be given to set up new businesses in sectors like garments, apparel, agro and food processing.