Maharashtra moots infrastructure development bureau

At a time when the Gujarat government is going ahead with the ‘Vibrant Gujarat’ campaign to attract more industrial investment, the  Maharashtra government is ensuring that it does not lag behind. It has started the horizontal integration of government departments to create a dedicated Infrastructure Development Bureau (IDB) to attract more investment and create  a Brand Maharashtra.

The state government has roped in investment consultants, Ernst and Young India Pvt Ltd, as knowledge partners for this investment creation.   

Speaking to DNA, state principal secretary (industries), Azeem M Khan, said various government departments had begun work on the project. “The industries department is one of the agencies and the focus is on dedicated approach in developing infrastructure. The integration of various government departments will help in systematic implementation of various projects. The urban development ministry is also working on it and private public partnership is something that the state government is keen on,” he said.  

Other than integration of all government agencies for all business-related approvals, the state government is also looking at creation of an ‘investment aftercare’ cell. The cell will be a one-point contact for all investors. The work in progress also includes starting investor relations management cell, facilitation cell, foreign direct investment, non-resident Marathi community networking and policy benchmarking.

According to Khan, the department of industries is also looking at new regions other than the conventional ones for industrial development. Textiles, agro-based industries, information technology, bio-technology, pharmaceuticals, engineering, chemicals and health are among the sectors that the government is looking at to promote in the new regions. “Nanded, Nashik, Latur, Chandrapur, Aurangabad and Kolhapur all have various strengths. We will try to tap the potential of each region,”  Khan said.  

The Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) is in a process of identifying a brand name for the campaign.
“As part of the IDB, there will be a one-stop service facility for investment information and support to domestic and international investors. Non-resident Marathi (NRM) promotion focuses on development of database of NRM and establishment of communication and networking,” a  senior MIDC official told DNA.