Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday called on state’s industrialists to showcase ‘Brand Punjab’ before the global industry coming to the state to participate in the two-day Invest Punjab Summit from 23 February.

Interacting with the industrialists during a session organised in Ludhiana, the chief minister noted that Punjabis are known world over for their hard work and entrepreneurship skills. Punjabi entrepreneurs have proved their mettle across the globe adding that now the time has come to showcase the vast potential of the state to the world.

He said it is the need of hour to make the state an industrial hub of the country.

Mann said he was not with the industrialists to invite them to the summit, but to enlist their support for the state government and to act as hosts to the global captains coming to the summit. He said the day is not far when Punjab will emerge a frontrunner state in industrial growth.

He pointed out that the state contributes three per cent in the national GDP (gross domestic product) of the country. Punjab is number one in startups and the entrepreneurs from Punjab have left an indelible imprint in the world economy.

The CM said that the state government has introduced the new industrial Policy for Punjab to give further impetus to Industry and commerce. He said the state government will soon introduce colour coding for stamp papers to facilitate the industrialists for early clearance of their new projects.

The CM said the state government is making concerted efforts to further strengthen the single window system for facilitating the investors.  Bhagwant Mann pointed out that earlier single window service was merely a sham, devoid of any meaningful purpose, which not only demoralised the potential investors but also hampered the industrial development of the state.

Mann said earlier the industries used to sign agreements with families in power but ever since he has assumed charge of government the agreements are signed for people of state. He said that earlier the affluent families used to get benefit of these agreements but now Punjabis will enjoy its fruits.