Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
* Clark evinces keen interest in education, agro food processing and solar energy in Punjab
* Clark appreciates Punjab for its revolutionary outlook in attracting investments
Chandigarh, British Columbia, Canada Premier Ms Christy Clark today fostering mutual interest in bilateral relations have evinced keen interest in collaboration with Punjab state in field of education, agro food processing and solar energy.
A British Columbia delegation led by Ms. Clark today called on the Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal here and offered to be partner with Punjab as well India in business and commerce activities besides sharing latest techno expertise in agro and energy fields. She told that Punjab is the only state in India where Canada has trade office in Chandigarh and assured to strengthen its trade services in Punjab as both the states have so much common trades.
During the meeting Deputy CM briefed the BC Premier that Punjab has largest canal system that could be tapped for generating hydro energy as state has already installed mini hydro projects at various canals. He also informed that to make the Punjab as an investment destination, state government has initiated revolutionary measures and promulgated liberal trade policies to attract business. Adding further Mr Badal said that to get single window clearances Punjab Investment Promotion Bureau has already been setup and investors have to file single application to get all clearances within stipulated time.
Mr Badal elaborated that facilitation services being provided by the bureau were highly appreciated by the investors as well as union government as it has cleared 90 projects within fixed time frame. He also explained that Punjab is the only state that has been rolling out its citizen centric services across the state by the next year where common citizen could get 205 public services online at their doorsteps. Besides state has enabled the citizens to self certify their documents to get all type of services and have done away with pricey affidavits.
Briefing the visiting Premier Chief Secretary Mr Sarvesh Kaushal said that state government has been fully responding in provisioning of essential services including education, health, basic amenities, social needs as well as generating employment and skill development. He also explained the progressive activities of state in the field of agriculture production, solar energy and agro-food processing.
BC Premier Ms Clark appreciated the Punjab Government for its revolutionary outlook for attracting business, ensuring fast clearances to the projects, launching of statewide novel citizen centric services, heritage conservation and social welfare projects. She also shared that Punjabi diaspora in Canada is also contributing a lot for the development of country. Besides Indian students intake have doubled in the Canadian universities and 61 MOUs were inked between BC and Indian educational institutions during the year.
Sharing the vision of Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi for empowering the states to attract overseas bilateral mutual interest businesses Mr Badal said that Punjab has been attracting foreign entities to invest in the state as well as collaborating with service providers for upliftment of basic amenities and infrastructure. He asked the delegation to invest in Punjab and provide tech know how in food processing, agro production, solid waste management, clean energy as well as education and health sectors.
Among others present in the meeting included K.A. Singh Principal Secretary Investment Promotion, P.S. Aujla Principal Secretary to Deputy CM, Raji P. Srivastva Principal Secretary Tourism, Manvesh Singh Sidhu and Ajay Mahajan both Special Principal Secretaries to Deputy CM.
