Showcasing the industrial and entrepreneurial spirit of Punjab, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal on Friday made a strong case for furthering the economic and business relations between Punjab and UAE to an all-time higher level.
Addressing investment outreach seminar after arriving at Dubai via inaugural direct flight from Mohali to Sharjah along with a high level delegation, Sukhbir made an effort to further cement the trade and commercial ties between the two countries, a Press statement issued here said.
On the occasion, an MoU was inked between Indian Business and Professional Council (IBPC) Dubai, Punjab Bureau of Investment Promotion (PBIP) and Confederation Indian Industry (CII) with specialised focus on trade, investment, education and lifestyle sectors’ opportunities besides cooperating with each other on sharing knowhow to strengthen commercial ties.
“The purpose of my visit is to offer a grand platform for the investors of Dubai to invest in Punjab as the state is unarguably the best and most preferred business and investment destination throughout India,” he said.
Elaborating on the India-UAE relationship, he said that Indians constitute a whopping 27 per cent of the population of the UAE and many of them comprise Punjabis who can prove to be a vital link in promoting trade relations between the two.
Making a strong case for investment in Punjab, Sukhbir said that the Punjab Government is establishing umpteen numbers of projects in Punjab, including the IT City in Mohali, Edu City, Medi City, among others.
Sukhbir, presenting his case with facts, said, “The State Government has established a department called ‘Invest Punjab’ which acts as a nodal agency regarding all investment related work. Department provides all the necessary permissions and clearances for establishing new business ventures and for this purpose has brought 23 departments under one roof.”
“Punjab has lowest industrial power tariff at Rs 4.99 per unit, best connectivity having two international and three domestic airports besides having excellent road connectivity matching international standards,” he was quoted as saying in the Press ststement.