<div>A recent World Bank study has favoured Punjab as the "most preferred destination" for investors in the country, state's Industry and Commerce Minister Anil Joshi claimed on 10 September' 2012.</div><div> </div><div>The study had termed the state as "future growth engine that would propel the nation's economic growth," he said.</div><div> </div><div>"In a latest study of World Bank about the Investment environment in the country, Punjab has been declared as the most preferred destination for investors," Joshi said here.</div><div> </div><div>He said the report of World Bank was based on various parameters including record investment by the incumbent government on the infrastructure such as roads, air and rail connectivity and incentives announced by the Punjab Government.</div><div> </div><div>The minister said that Punjab Government has set an investment target of Rs 1 lakh crore in the state and to meet this, he has already held series of meeting with big industrialists at New Delhi.</div><div> </div><div>Besides, World Bank study specially talked about the Integrated Check post at Attari CP and Rs 21300 crore project Guru Gobind Singh Refinery at Bathinda, that would change the face of Industry in the State.</div><div> </div><div>In past, investors were facing shortage of electricity, which is going to become the strength of the state as in next one year all three Thermal Plants would become operational, Joshi claimed.</div><div> </div><div>He said Integrated Check Post at the Wagah border would be a boon for trade in Punjab as it was a natural trade route to Central Asia for centuries.</div><div> </div><div>Joshi said that keeping in view the interests of traders, Union Government should enhance the number of items to be exported via ICP from 137 to 6,000 as in Mumbai port. </div><div> </div><div>Due to the efforts of the SAD-BJP government many world class industrial houses like Videocon have announced to invest in Punjab, the minister said.</div><div> </div><div>He said that to facilitate the investors, Punjab Government has sanctioned the establishment of 'Land Bank', so the land required for industry could be provided to investors in a hassle free manner.</div><div> </div><div>Besides, the government has also made it mandatory to provide all kind of sanctions to investors within 30 days after the application through single window system, Joshi said.<br /><br />(PTI)</div>
