Punjab and the United Kingdom (UK) on Thursday agreed for further tie up in agriculture, Information and Technology (IT), food processing, higher education, sports, public transport (Electric buses), and biomass sectors.

The decision was taken during a meeting between Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann with British High Commissioner Alex Ellis, who called on the former at his official residence on Thursday morning.

During the meeting, it was agreed that there is a huge potential of collaboration between Punjab and UK in these sectors. The Chief Minister said that hard working and resilient Punjabis have already made a mark in these sectors. However, he said that the advanced technology by UK will be helpful in further harnessing the hidden potential in these sectors.

Extending a red carpet welcome to British investors in the state, the Chief Minister said that the State Government will ensure single window online clearances to all the desirous investors in the state. Punjab government will ensure that the investors will get smooth and hassle-free mechanism to invest in the State, he said.

Mann said that he is already in touch with a large number of prospective investors from the UK who are interested in investing in the state.

Flagging the issue of direct flight from Chandigarh to London Heathrow Airport, the Chief Minister said that it will facilitate the passengers from five states in general and that of Punjab in particular. “This flight will act as a window for Punjabis to the western world...a number of airlines are already in touch with him for starting their flights once it gets approval,” he said.

Responding, the British High Commissioner assured the Chief Minister of all possible help in this regard. He said that UK is very keen in firming up investment with the State in these key sectors. Ellis also lauded the zero tolerance stance of Chief Minister against corruption and said that it will further help in boosting confidence of investors in the state.

MANN SEEKS GERMAN COMPANIES' SUPPORT TO PUT PUNJAB ON HIGH GROWTH TRAJECTORY 

Giving a red carpet welcome to the German investors by projecting Punjab as land of opportunities, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday sought their support to put the state on a high growth trajectory of industrial development.

Mann, during a meeting with Minister Economic and Global Affairs German Embassy Dr Stefen Koch and Head of Energy India Dr Winfried Damm, said that expertise of Germans in engineering, energy, and biomass besides others is acclaimed world over. “Punjab will be happy to tie up with the Germans in these fields along with other sectors of investment. The State Government is committed to emerging Punjab as a frontrunner state in industrial growth,” he said.

The Chief Minister said that Punjab has already emerged a mechanism wherein the State Government provides single window clearances to the industry in the State along with a special nodal officer to speed up these clearances. The investors, desirous of investing in the state, can apply for the clearances online which will be given in an expedite manner, he said.

Mann said that besides being a peaceful state with good weather conditions, Punjab has zero tolerance against corruption due to which the investors can be facilitated largely.

The Chief Minister said that Punjab is ready for forming a cluster for setting up of especially German industry in the state. “The State Government is committed to putting the state in high growth trajectory for which they are ready for hand holding of investors in the early stage. Already several important projects of German investors are in the pipeline in the state,” he said.

Meanwhile, assuring fulsome support and cooperation to the Chief Minister, Koch and Damm said that there is a huge potential of industrial growth in the state.