CM PITCHES PUNJAB AS KEY INVESTMENT HUB FOR UK

Chandigarh (The Uttam Hindu): Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday pushed for stronger and broader engagement with the United Kingdom, especially in unexplored business domains, while chairing the Punjab UK Engagement Strategic Dialogue here.

During a meeting with British Deputy High Commissioner Alba Smeriglio and representatives of various UK-linked and multinational companies, the Chief Minister said Punjab is keen to deepen ties with the UK in both traditional and emerging sectors. He said the state has identified five core pillars of collaboration higher education, textiles, engineering, auto components and agro & food processing along with new focus areas including pharmaceuticals and healthcare, information technology, Global Capability Centres (GCCs) and business services. Bhagwant Singh Mann shared a detailed dossier showcasing Punjab’s strengths, highlighting that the state enjoys world-class physical connectivity with five airports and robust national highway links, giving seamless access to domestic and international markets.

The Chief Minister said that Punjab has a highly skilled workforce, which is crucial for the growth of every sector and added that the state offers competitive and peaceful labour, making it an attractive destination for investment. Bhagwant Singh Mann underlined that Punjab has a unified investment facilitation mechanism adding that Invest Punjab, acts as a single regulator and provides all requisite clearances within a stipulated time frame under a deemed approval regime, thereby giving confidence and certainty to investors. He also drew attention to the state’s fast-track portal and single-window initiative aimed at simplifying procedures, reducing compliance burden and further improving Ease of Doing Business in Punjab.

The Chief Minister shared his future vision and said that the state government is making concerted efforts to accelerate economic progress in the state. He held detailed deliberations with dignitaries and senior representatives from various firms, including those with strong UK linkages, many of whom shared their ancestral connection with Punjab. Bhagwant Singh Mann urged them to start or expand their businesses from Punjab and extended a red-carpet welcome to investors from the UK, asserting that Punjab’s strong infrastructure, reliable power supply and investor-friendly policies make it an ideal investment destination.

The Chief Minister invited the investors from UK to participate in the Progressive Punjab Investors Summit (PPIS) 2026 at Mohali and proposed a special UK-focused session during the summit. He welcomed the companies that participated in the deliberations included Tynor, Hindustan Unilever, Bedford School, Munjal Birmingham University, Ganga Acrowools, Netsmartz, Rockpecker and others.

Bhagwant Singh Mann said that increased investment from the UK can generate large-scale employment opportunities for the youth of Punjab and called upon companies to specifically explore technologies and projects for managing paddy straw and promoting green solutions.

The Chief Minister informed the delegation that Punjab’s Air Quality Index has improved significantly and is now under 70 in many parts of the state due to sustained environmental efforts. He also highlighted ‘Pehal’, a self-help group initiative launched for rural women, stating that just as China is known as the factory of the world, Punjab aims to empower rural women to become a strong backbone of its industrial and manufacturing growth. Bhagwant Singh Mann added that Punjab has two Civil Aviation Clubs, reflecting the state’s emphasis on aviation-related skills and connectivity.

Reaffirming the historical and emotional bond between Punjab and the UK, the Chief Minister said the United Kingdom has always been a trusted partner of India, particularly of Punjab and that Punjabis are ready and eager to further strengthen these ties. He encouraged UK universities to establish campuses in Mohali and other parts of Punjab to promote joint research, innovation and high-quality education and urged UK industry leaders and members of the Punjabi diaspora to act as brand ambassadors of Punjab to garner investment for the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann also supported the demand for a direct flight between Mohali and London, which was earlier raised by industry leaders.

The Chief Minister further said that Punjab is globally known for its high-quality sports equipment, bicycle manufacturing and auto components. He said that collaboration with UK firms can further enhance these sectors and integrate them more effectively into global value chains. Bhagwant Singh Mann vehemently batted for deeper ties with UK industry adding that mutual cooperation in these sectors will be highly beneficial for them.

The Chief Minister said that the state government’s commitment to investors is very clear and that Punjab is keen to take its relationship with the UK beyond business into areas such as innovation, sustainability and skill development. He pointed out that Punjab has been rated among the best states in Ease of Doing Business by the Government of India. Bhagwant Singh Mann informed that both Indian and foreign IT companies are keen to establish their operations in Mohali due to its robust ecosystem, quality power supply and strong infrastructure.

Meanwhile British Deputy High Commissioner Ms. Alba Smeriglio expressed hope for bolstering bilateral ties with active participation from both sides and said it was an exciting experience for her to work with businessmen from the Punjabi diaspora. She noted that there is immense potential for deepening collaboration between Punjab and the UK across multiple sectors.