State-Level Symposium in Bistupur Draws Chamber Representatives From 19 Districts
Key Points:
- Chamber representatives from 19 districts attend symposium
- Tata Steel VP calls for airport, value-added industries
- FJCCI sets goal of 1,000 new industrial units in decade
JAMSHEDPUR – The Singhbhum Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Federation of Jharkhand Chamber of Commerce and Industry jointly organized a state-level, one-day seminar on Saturday at Chamber Bhawan in Bistupur, titled “Opportunities and Challenges in Jharkhand: Building a Sustainable and Competitive Growth Ecosystem.”
Chamber representatives from 19 districts across the state attended the seminar and held wide-ranging discussions on giving new direction to Jharkhand’s industrial, trade and economic development.
Chief guest D.B. Sundara Ramam, vice-president (corporate services) at Tata Steel, said Jharkhand should not remain limited to mineral resources alone but must become industrially self-reliant by promoting manufacturing and value-addition based industries.
He stressed the need for an airport in Jamshedpur, saying it could turn the Kolhan region into a major hub for industry, trade and investment.
Singhbhum Chamber president Manav Kediya, in his welcome address, said this was the first time since Jharkhand’s formation that chambers from various districts of the state had come together on a common platform.
He said all chambers would now work in a spirit of cooperation rather than competition, in the interest of the state. He added that suggestions from the seminar would be submitted to the state government to help frame industry- and trade-friendly policies.
Meanwhile, FJCCI president Aditya Malhotra said Jharkhand holds immense potential for industrial development alongside its natural resources. He spoke of preparing a long-term industrial policy for the next ten years and setting a target of establishing 1,000 new industrial units in the state.
He described GI-tagged products, the IT sector and new investment as important pillars for the state’s economy.
FJCCI’s Kolhan vice-president Vijay Anand Moonka said the Kolhan region needs special initiatives toward an airport, better healthcare facilities, higher education institutions and tourism development.
On the other hand, Singhbhum Chamber vice-president Anil Modi said chamber representatives’ participation should be ensured in the formulation of industry- and trade-related policies, so that plans can be made in accordance with ground-level needs.
In the second session of the seminar, various speakers emphasized making Jharkhand a leading manufacturing hub of eastern India, highlighting steel downstream industries, engineering, auto components, defence equipment manufacturing, renewable energy and the development of religious and tourism circuits.
Besides these points, representatives from different districts also raised issues concerning land availability, infrastructure, administrative complexities in setting up industries and other local concerns.
At the conclusion of the seminar, all chamber representatives resolved to work in a coordinated manner going forward and make joint efforts to include Jharkhand among the country’s leading industrial and business states.
Representatives from Hazaribagh, Dhanbad, Deoghar, Khunti, Gumla, Godda, Jamtara, Sahibganj,
