Chhattisgarh is now aggressively wooing defence component manufacturers to set up base in the State.
The State had been projecting its pre-existing base of defence equipment suppliers around Durg-Bhilai-Raipur cluster as a strategic advantage for prospective investors, officials stated. Notably , the Chhattisgarh government decided to establish a ‘Defense Manufacturing Cluster’ in the State in August last year.
As per the plan, the project would comprise developing a Defense Research lab, a testing facility and a ‘Defense Smart City’, officials stated.
For manufacture of defense goods, the State Government had also signed a Memorandum of Understanding ( MoU) with M/s Iren Systems.
As per the MoU, M/s Iren Systems will develop a ‘Defense Technology City’ with state-of-art infrastructure. The move will create employment opportunities in the sector for highly-skilled and skilled youngsters of the State.
In March this year, Chhattisgarh Industry Minister Amar Agarwal participated in the Global Investors Summit ‘Make in India for Defence Sector’ during Defexpo 2016 in South Goa.
The event was organized by ASSOCHAM in association with Government of Chhattisgarh . The event was attended by high profile speakers and top management of global defence companies participated in the event, officials informed.
Agarwal was the Guest of Honour for the Investors Summit for Defence sector, and Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar was the Chief Guest for the event. The inaugural function was also attended by top executives of the companies from across the globe, Central & State Government representatives, industry associations and others. In his address at the inaugural function, Agarwal briefed about Chhattisgarh and shared his vision for industrial development and investment opportunities in Defence sector in the State.
He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for inducing new energy in industrial sector in India through his initiatives like Make in India, Skill India, and Digital India etc.
Agrawal also gave the delegates specific reasons to do business in Chhattisgarh and reiterated State’s commitment to support and develop industries in sunrise sectors like Defence manufacturing, heavy engineering, railways, electronics, IT & ITeS, etc. The Minister invited the companies across the globe to visit the State and witness industrial environment in Chhattisgarh.