DW BUREAU / Chandigarh

Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) organized a conference on the topic "Catalyzing Growth of MSMEs in Punjab through Emerging Financial Institutions Landscape" in Chandigarh continued till late evening on Wednesday. Punjab Finance Minister Mr. Harpal Singh Cheema and Punjab Industry and Commerce Minister Mr. Tarunpreet Singh Sond attended the conference as chief guests. Mr. Harchand Singh Barsat, Chairman Punjab Mandi Board and Mr. Neel Garg, Chairman Punjab Medium Industries Development Board participated as special guests. Officials of various banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions, private companies, educational institutions, industry and other stakeholders were present during the conference.

Finance Minister Mr. Harpal Singh Cheema congratulated FICCI for organizing this conference and said that very good suggestions come out through such conferences, which prove to be extremely beneficial. He said that in the last three years, the state government has reduced the expenditure and increased the income. MSMEs play a major role in strengthening the economy of Punjab and MSMEs are growing rapidly in Punjab, because of the conducive environment in the state. He said that in the last three years, there has been a huge decline in the number of people going abroad, due to which for the first time additional seats have been allotted in educational institutions. Regarding the demand of the industrialists, he said that during this budget session, maximum subsidy and pending dues of the industrial units would be released through various means, so that the industry in the state can develop further.

Cabinet Minister Mr. Tarunpreet Singh Sond welcomed all the guests and expressed happiness and said that he has been associated with FICCI for a long time on a personal level. He said that Mohali is going to be developed as an IT hub and talks with big companies have already taken place. Soon the IT policy would be released and employment would be provided to IT engineers. He said that soon three convention centers are going to be established in Punjab.

(editor@dailyworld.in)