The North News
Chandigarh, February 11
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has said the state’s upcoming Progressive Punjab Investment Summit is expected to play a key role in boosting industrial growth and creating large-scale employment opportunities for young people.
Chairing a high-level review meeting in Chandigarh on Wednesday, Mann said the three-day summit, scheduled to be held in Mohali from 13 to 15 March, would act as a catalyst for industrial development in the state.
He said Punjab had already begun positioning itself as an investor-friendly destination and that the summit would help convert policy intent into practical outcomes. The event will be held under the theme “Punjab Means Business – Policy to Practice”.
According to the chief minister, extensive outreach programmes, including roadshows in major Indian cities and several foreign countries, have generated strong interest among domestic and international investors. He said the summit would feature country-specific sessions, sectoral discussions and plenary meetings aimed at identifying new investment opportunities.
Mann argued that large-scale industrialisation was essential for reviving Punjab’s economy, which he said had reached the limits of growth based solely on agriculture. He said the government had introduced a series of reforms to improve the ease of doing business, including faster regulatory clearances and infrastructure support.
The chief minister claimed that investment proposals worth around ₹1.5 lakh crore had already been received, with the potential to generate more than five lakh jobs. He added that major companies had shown interest in setting up projects in the state.
Mr Mann also highlighted Punjab’s power surplus and skilled workforce as key advantages for investors. He said energy availability remained central to economic growth and that the government had prioritised strengthening the state’s power sector.
Senior officials reviewed logistical arrangements for the summit, which will also include exhibitions, seminars and technical sessions focused on emerging technologies. The chief minister also released the event’s logo during the meeting.
