Transforming Northern Region into Industrial Hub Needs Right Infrastructure & Govt Support: CII

States such as Punjab and Haryana have a strong potential for exports in industries such as textiles, car components, bicycles, food processing, and so on, he said today. According to a release, the CII Northern Region will shortly launch an incubation programme to assist emerging entrepreneurs in networking with possible investors.

It will also aim to bridge the rural-urban divide and will focus heavily on increasing diversity in workplaces in Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh.

"This year, the CII will focus on internalizing the tenets of sustainability and climate action, as well as accelerating its globalization journey in preparation for leadership in a changing world." This will be accomplished through an inclusive growth strategy that fosters trust among all stakeholders, including the government, industry, society, consumers, investors, and the external community," Jain explained.

He cited the CII's agricultural residue management initiative, which is currently underway in 12 districts of Punjab and Haryana, encompassing 300 villages, 3 lakh acres of farmland, and 50,000 farmers. Jain also unveiled the CII national theme for the year, 'Towards a Competitive and Sustainable India@100: Growth, Livelihood, Globalization, Building Trust,' which intends to bring together the CII's activities throughout the country to drive growth by scaling the competitiveness ladder.

According to the statement, the CII northern region's five primary priorities and emphasis areas for the year are export-led growth and competitiveness, innovation and digital transformation, sustainability and clean tech, startups and entrepreneurship, and diversity and inclusion.

Among other things, the CII intends to work with state governments on policy advocacy on a variety of issues, including the implementation of the national single window system and the formation of GST-like councils in areas of reform such as labour, power, agriculture, land, education, and healthcare.