Patna: The two-day “Bihar Business Connect 2024 – Global Investors’ Summit” was inaugurated here on Thursday (December 19) with the ministers of various departments calling up the entrepreneurs from different parts of the country to invest in the state. The event has been organised by the industries department to woo investors in the state.
Inaugurating the programme, deputy chief minister Samrat Chaudhary exhorted the entrepreneurs to harness the state’s potential and join the state government’s drive to catapult Bihar as an industrial hub. “Things have changed over the years and technology became the driving force behind the nation’s progress. Since independence, Bihar once held the top position in the country. While others advanced with technology, Bihar lagged behind. It’s time to harness this talent, uplift every section of our society, and drive Bihar forward,” he said.
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Another deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha said the state had a rich history of industries. Over the past two decades, under the guidance of CM Nitish Kumar, the government has strengthened the industrial environment, resulting in increased interest from investors. “We have maintained double-digit growth for the past fifteen years. There has been rapid progress across all sectors of industries in the state. For the first time, Bihar has emerged as a rapidly growing hub for mines on the national map,” added Sinha.
The Bihar Business Connect 2024 is a landmark initiative of the Department of Industries aimed at promoting industrial development across the state, fostering growth and creating new opportunities.
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Labour minister Santosh Kumar Singh said that the state, which has a population of 14 crore, is bestowed with 60% actively engaged in the workforce. “To meet industry-specific needs, Bihar has established 2,400 skill development centres across the state. Our efforts are aimed at making Bihar self-sufficient in creating a skilled and dynamic workforce aligned with the demands of modern industries. In 1938, the Dalmia factory was inaugurated by Shri Subhash Chandra Bose, and in 1939, a pioneering paper mill was established. This heritage demonstrates our long-standing commitment to progress and innovation, ensuring that the state remains a hub for industrial development,” he added.
A total of six sessions were conducted on the first day of the two-day event. The inaugural session was themed ‘Investment Opportunities’ in Bihar. It began with the dignitaries present symbolically watering plants, reflecting the Bihar government’s commitment to environmental conservation.
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Industries secretary Bandana Preyashi delivered a comprehensive presentation on the theme Investment Opportunities in Bihar during the inaugural session and highlighted the immense industrial potential in Bihar and provided detailed insights into various incentives offered by the government to promote investment in the state.
Alok Ranjan Ghosh, director of the industries department, delivered the welcome address, extending warm greetings to the esteemed guests, investors and attendees from across the country. During this session, Nand Kishore, managing director, Bihar State Tourism Corporation; Satyajit Kumar Singh, chairman, CII; Suman Kumar, executive director, IOCL; Rajneesh Kumar, director, Pristine Group; Chandan Kumar, MD, Setner; and Ashok Kumar Chaudhary, MD & CEO, Auro Sundaram, were present.
