Migrating workers ‘human capital’ for UP: Minister
LUCKNOW:Uttar Pradesh MSME, investment and export promotion minister Sidharth Nath Singh on Friday told representatives of 320 global brands that Covid-19 pandemic had brought a silver lining for the state in terms of skilled workforce that had migrated back to it.
Singh referred to migrant workers as ‘human capital’ while showcasing Uttar Pradesh as the most favoured destination for investment at a webinar organised by Indo-American Chamber of Commerce and US-India Business Council.
“In current scenario, it is very difficult to take a decision on investment. This pandemic has changed India’s demography in favour of Uttar Pradesh. The ‘human capital’ migrating from other states has given an edge to the state over other states in form of skilled labour,” Singh told representatives of top companies.
“Special emphasis is being laid on bringing companies migrating from China to Uttar Pradesh. Therefore, UP has ensured to be competitive within India and with Southeast Asia,” Singh told delegates.
Singh also highlighted advantages Uttar Pradesh has due to its
proximity to national capital. He also apprised delegates of new Jewar Airport project of the Yogi Adityanath government and also of various expressways, small airports, inland waterways and dedicated fright corridors. On the occasion, the minister assured all possible assistance to entrepreneurs setting up enterprises in the state. “A strong partnership of Indo-US has been formed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump. Uttar Pradesh under the leadership of chief minister Yogi Adityanath will be the backbone of this partnership in manufacturing and service sector,” Singh said.
When at the webinar, pharma companies pointed out that to shift their units from China they needed supply chain of raw materials and small products of their use, Singh said Uttar Pradesh was creating a pharma park near Lucknow. “With an aggressive MSME policy one can ‘plug and play’ without getting the government NOC immediately. They can apply and obtain it in three years after establishing their units,” the minister said. Also present at the session, Alok Tandon, industrial development commissioner and Alok Kumar, principal secretary, industrial development, gave a presentation of ‘Why UP’. They highlighted advantages in Uttar Pradesh with the largest consumer base of India having a population of 230 million and another 200 million in neighbouring states. Navneet Sehgal, principal secretary, MSME, informed the delegates about ‘MSME Sathi’ application dedicated to address all issues of industrialists of this sector. KV Raju, economic adviser to the CM, was also present on the occasion.
The US members appreciated reforms made by the state government in the MSME sector.
Companies in defence equipment business said the MSME policy of the state government would boost MSME industries in the upcoming defence corridor in the state.
THE US MEMBERS APPRECIATED REFORMS MADE BY THE STATE GOVERNMENT IN THE MSME SECTOR.