The North News
Chandigarh, December 6
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has urged Japanese industry leaders to participate in the Progressive Punjab Investors’ Summit 2026, scheduled for 13–15 March at the Indian School of Business Mohali. He said the summit would highlight Punjab’s industrial progress, bring together major global players and open new avenues for partnerships. Addressing a well-attended roadshow in Osaka, Mann received what officials described as a “strong response” from leading Japanese companies. He said the turnout reflected deep institutional support for strengthening India–Japan economic ties, as well as rising investor confidence in Punjab’s industry-friendly policies and streamlined single-window system.
The Chief Minister said his government aims to create new economic opportunities for young people while offering a stable and predictable environment for businesses. Punjab, he noted, already hosts several major Japanese firms and has positioned itself as a preferred global investment destination through sustained policy reforms.
Mann highlighted the state’s strategic connectivity to NCR and major ports, robust industrial clusters, reliable power supply and a skilled workforce. He also outlined reforms introduced to ease business processes, including the FastTrack Punjab single-window system offering more than 173 services, auto-deemed approvals, PAN-based identifiers and amendments enabling faster clearances under the Punjab Right to Business Act.
He said Punjab has already facilitated investments worth over ₹1.4 lakh crore through Invest Punjab and that the government continues to expand industrial infrastructure and support investor needs. The state’s industrial policy introduced in 2022, he added, was shaped in consultation with industry leaders, and 24 sectoral committees chaired by industry captains are now devising targeted policy frameworks.
The Chief Minister held meetings with companies such as Air Water Inc. to explore opportunities in industrial gases and engineering solutions. He also met representatives of the Osaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Tokushima Auction Market and Global Venture Co., Ltd., discussing prospects for technology cooperation, SME partnerships and modernising agricultural supply chains.
Officials said the Osaka roadshow and reception saw participation from senior Japanese dignitaries, including representatives of JETRO, the Osaka Prefectural Government and METI Kansai, underscoring sustained interest in Punjab’s growth strategy ahead of the 2026 summit.
