CM discusses investments with US-India biz council

Tribune news Service

Shimla, June 26

Good climatic conditions, pollution-free environment and uninterrupted electricity supply make Himachal Pradesh a favourite destination for investment, even for the world’s most renowned companies, said Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, while addressing the US-India Business Council (USIBC) through a video conference here today.

Thakur said the state government had organised a Global Investor’s Meet at Dharamshala in which MoUs worth Rs 1 lakh crore were signed and ground-breaking ceremonies of projects worth Rs 13,000 crore were performed within three months of the meet.

He said the pandemic had adversely affected the state’s initiative. However, during the crisis, the pharma industry of the state not only produced the hydroxychloroquine medicine to meet the demand of the nation but also exported the medicine to several other countries, including the USA.

He said the government was providing several incentives to potential entrepreneurs, especially in food processing and manufacturing sectors. The Chief Minister appreciated the role the USIBC played in such unprecedented times in bringing back focus on states through timely interventions, discussing investment plans of US companies and addressing the business community.

Managing Director, US-India Business Council, Ambika Sharma said the council was delighted to join hands with the government of Himachal Pradesh on strategising on investment promotion and business growth, focusing on certain sectors such as FMCG, technology, agriculture, energy and healthcare.

Intel representative Nivruti Rai said the state could emerge as a hub for data centres and tele-medicines.