Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], January 28 (HBTV): Chhattisgarh took a significant step towards attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) as Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai engaged with US Consul General Mike Hankey and Russian Consul General Ivan Y. Fetisov during the Mumbai Investor Meet to discuss investment possibilities in sectors such as health, education, IT, and tourism.

In the second phase of the meet, Chhattisgarh secured investment proposals worth INR 6,000 crore, with Ambuja Cement leading the way by committing INR 2,367 crore.

The Chief Minister highlighted that since the launch of the state’s new industrial policy, investments totaling INR 1 lakh crore have been committed through Investor Connect meets held in Raipur, Delhi, and Mumbai.

Key industrialists from India and abroad engaged in discussions with the Chief Minister to explore opportunities for industrial growth and job creation.

Key features of the industrial policy (2024–2030):

• "Minimum Governance, Maximum Incentives": Simplified processes for obtaining No Objection Certificates (NOCs) and single-window clearance systems for ease of doing business.
• Bespoke Policy: Industries investing INR 1,000 crore or employing 1,000 people are eligible for permanent capital investment incentives of 30% to 50%, amounting to INR 200 crore to INR 450 crore.
• Incentives for net SGST reimbursement, employment generation, EPF contributions, and training costs for periods ranging from 5 to 12 years.
• Special provisions for emerging sectors, including Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Computing, and Green Hydrogen.

Upcoming projects and investment highlights:

• Nava Raipur IT Hub: A new data center and the entry of multiple IT companies are set to transform Nava Raipur into a technology hub.
• Pharmaceutical Park: The largest pharmaceutical park in Central India will be established in Nava Raipur.
• Niyanar Industrial Area: Spanning 118 acres near Nagarnar Steel Plant in Bastar, the area will focus on developing small, micro, and medium enterprises.
• Incentives in Bastar and Surguja, including discounts of 50%-100% on iron and coal royalties and cess reimbursement up to 150%.

Major investment commitments:

• Welspun Group: INR 500 crore in plastics and textiles.
• Drools Company: INR 625 crore in Rajnandgaon for pet food production and a 30 MW solar power plant.
• Kritech Technologies: INR 600 crore in the IT sector.
• Bombay Hospital Trust: INR 700 crore for a world-class healthcare facility in Nava Raipur.

Other commitments include proposals from Aditya Birla Group, Godrej Group, and Essar Group for investments in textiles, agriculture, food processing, energy, infrastructure, and mining.

The Chief Minister emphasized that these initiatives aim to boost Chhattisgarh’s industrial ecosystem, attract FDI, and create thousands of jobs while transforming the state into a significant industrial and technological hub.

(ANI)