Puneet Kaura meets Punjab Guv, CM to push industry agenda

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CII proposes smart-city certification, a multi-skill centre and more village initiatives.

Chandigarh, September 9

Chandigarh and Punjab need a stronger focus on sustainability, connectivity, technology and new-age industries to attract investment and create jobs, CII Northern Region Chairperson and Samtel Avionics Managing Director and CEO Puneet Kaura has said. Kaura made the remarks during his first visit to the CII Regional Headquarters in Chandigarh, where he held separate meetings with Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

He presented industry recommendations and called for closer government-industry cooperation to accelerate economic growth in the region.

During his meeting with Kataria, Kaura proposed developing Chandigarh as a Smart and Green Certified City in partnership with the Chandigarh Administration and the CII-Indian Green Building Council.

The initiative would focus on practical measures including waste segregation and recycling, energy efficiency and greener infrastructure.

Kaura also said Chandigarh had the potential to emerge as a hub for Global Capability Centres (GCCs) because of its skilled workforce, quality of life and institutional ecosystem.

CII also stressed the need to improve air connectivity to and from Chandigarh, saying better links would be important if the city and the wider Northern region are to attract more investment, businesses, GCCs and skilled professionals.

In his meeting with Mann, Kaura discussed measures to strengthen Punjab’s industrial and economic growth, including the adoption of technology and artificial intelligence by MSMEs, skilling, investment, agriculture and horticulture, sustainability and infrastructure.

The Punjab government expressed interest in working with CII to strengthen agriculture and horticulture, particularly through initiatives aimed at increasing value for farmers and creating new opportunities for industry.

CII also proposed setting up a Multi-Skill Training Centre in Punjab and sought land and infrastructure support from the state government.

Another key issue was the availability of reliable power for industry during the peak season. Kaura said uninterrupted power supply was essential for sustaining industrial growth.

The Chief Secretary of Punjab, who attended the meeting, highlighted steps already being taken by the government and assured that the issue would be addressed while keeping the requirements of industry and future growth in mind.

Kaura also highlighted the work being undertaken by the CII Foundation in rural Punjab. The organisation currently supports and engages with more than 820 villages across eight districts.

CII has proposed adopting another 50 villages. Mann encouraged the organisation to consider including more villages in Sangrur and expanding such initiatives across the state.

Kaura later told the media that Punjab needed to attract investment into new and emerging sectors while building on its existing industrial strengths.

He pointed to the state’s defence and automobile ecosystem as areas with potential for higher-value manufacturing, including defence production and drone technology.

Kaura also highlighted the growing importance of technology and international collaboration, referring to a recent memorandum of understanding between Samtel Avionics and Japan-based BULL to explore cooperation on space-debris mitigation.

The companies are expected to assess technical requirements and potential areas of cooperation for product development and responsible space operations.

Kaura said CII Northern Region would continue to work with governments and industry to promote investment, technology adoption, sustainability, skills and international partnerships.

“Our endeavour is to make the Northern Region more competitive, sustainable and future-ready, while creating greater opportunities for industry, investment, employment and innovation. Punjab has all the ingredients to become a hub for new-age industry, and CII will continue to work with the state government and industry to help realise this potential,” he said.