The focus of the new industrial policy of would be to endorse synergy between the agriculture and industrial sector, rejuvenate small-scale sector and attract more investments in the large-scale sector, chief secretary, Punjab Ramesh Inder Singh said, at an interactive session on ?Punjab ?The Next Agenda for Growth? with (CII) members organised to seek suggestions from the CII membership on the draft Industrial Policy so as to make it more robust and industry friendly.

The policy will also dwell on cluster approach, rationalise tax structure as well as focus on employability enhancement for a more conducive and enabling environment for the industrial growth in the state, Singh added.

Urging CII to anchor and facilitate investment for the state and join hands with the government in PPP mode to put the state on a growth trajectory, Singh further stated that the policy aims to prepare a model suited to Punjab by addressing a gamut of issues to boost industrial investments in the state and ensuring rapid growth of its thrust sectors, overcoming its weaknesses, putting in place policies and mechanisms to provide fast approvals and requisite infrastructure to new projects, providing the necessary incentives to attract entrepreneurs and making Punjab a preferred investment destination.

Earlier, Salil Singhal, chairman, CII northern region, putting forth CII?s recommendations, said that the state requires confidence building measures like anchoring investments with a clear aggressive effort and an assurance of a continuity of policy to create a tangible perception of a business friendly environment.

The specific recommendations of CII as shared by Singhal on agriculture included focus on diversification of crops, encouraging farm mechanisation, amend APMC Act to Model Act; invest in water conservation, revamp of agri extension system and promoting PPP model in agri sector . CII outlines next agenda for growth for Punjab ; recommends PPP for industry competitiveness, agriculture reforms and building human resource .

Vision for future

•The policy will dwell on cluster approach, rationalise tax structure as well as focus on employability enhancement for a more conducive and enabling environment for the industrial growth in the state

• It also aims to rejuvenate small-scale sector and attract more investments in the large-scale sector