World Bank study declares Punjab as preferred place for investment

CHANDIGARH: A recent World Bank study has favoured Punjab as the "most preferred destination" for investors in the country, state's Industry and Commerce Minister Anil Joshi today claimed.

The study had termed the state as "future growth engine that would propel the nation's economic growth," he said.

"In a latest study of World Bank about the Investment environment in the country, Punjab has been declared as the most preferred destination for investors," Joshi said here.

He said the report 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 the Punjab Government.

The minister said 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 big industrialists at New Delhi.

Besides, World Bank study specially talked about the Integrated Check post at Attari CP and Rs 21300 crore project Guru Gobind Singh Refinery at Bathinda, that would change the face of Industry in the State.

In past, investors were facing shortage of electricity, which is going to become the strength of the state as in next one year all three Thermal Plants would become operational, Joshi claimed.

He said Integrated Check Post at the Wagah border would be a boon for trade in Punjab as it was a natural trade route to Central Asia for centuries.

Joshi said that keeping in view the 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.