ITC on Friday evinced interest in signing a MoU with the Punjab Government for establishing a Food Park in ludhiana district besides asserting that it was committed to establishing four luxury hotels in Punjab under its brand name.
The assurance was given by ITC chairman YC Deveshwar and executive director Kurush Grant during a meeting with Punjab government team headed by Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal which held a meeting with ITC top management at the renowned ITC Green Centre. Sukhbir, on his part, told the ITC management that the Punjab Government was taking proactive steps to invite investment into the State and that besides agro processing and hotels, ITC could also invest in the IT sector in Mohali.
“We have 600 acres available alongside upcoming international airport and we are ready to give out parcels to leading companies in quickest possible time to give a kick start to the IT industry in Punjab,” he added. Giving details of the steps ITC could take vis-à-vis the proposed Food Park, Grant informed that the company Food Park, who requested the ITC to process flour from Punjab wheat and offered that the State was ready to advise farmers to sow varieties needed by the company.
Meanwhile, Sukhbir said the State government could engage ITC to connect e-service centres proposed to be established by the Government in more than 12,000 villages in the State in next six months with their e-chaupal programme.Visit to Ranbaxy Headquarters Deputy Chief Minister also visited the headquarters of Ranbaxy and held detailed discussions with its top management including its chairman Dr Tsutomu Une and CEO Arun Sawhney.
The Ranbaxy CEO informed that the company was looking for expansion in Punjab as it would soon run out of capacity. “Company is looking forward support from the Punjab Government and it is ready to accelerate its investment in the State,” he added. Punjab Chief Secretary Rakesh Singh informed the Ranbaxy management that the State had decided to establish a Bureau of Investment Promotion, and its CEO would be vested with all powers of department heads like that of Pollution Board and labour Commissioner.
“Our endeavour is to ensure industrialists do not face any problem in getting any clearance and we are also allowing self-certification to make the process of getting clearances even faster,” he added.