Time-bound Quality Service Key to Attract Investors, Say Top Officials

KOCHI:
One of the key factors for attracting investors is time-bound quality service, remarked top officials, who shared the policies and best practices of various states during a plenary session at ASCEND Kerala 2019 here on Monday.

An ambitious initiative of the Kerala government, the one-day conclave was aimed at positioning the state as an investment hotspot by showcasing the administrative and policy measures taken to improve the Ease of Doing Business. The officials, from Haryana and Telangana besides the top bureaucrats of the home state, shared their success stories while attending a session on “Ease of Doing Business-sharing of best practices.”

Jayesh Ranjan, Principal Secretary (Industries), Telangana said: “The state has accomplished in getting $21 billion in four-and-a-half years since it has come into being. More than 60 per cent of the ventures have reached the stage of commercial production, and many of them are expansion investments. The state has received investments from 23 different countries,” he explained.

“We have given 15 days for giving approval for applications from investors. If the permission is not given within the time-frame, the investor can start their ventures on the 16th day,” he said.

The official added that an inquiry will be conducted on the delay and salary will be deducted from the official concerned as penalty.

Commenting on the facilities available for the industry, Jayesh said: “We ensure that there is uninterrupted supply of power to the industry. The government also takes the responsibility of providing skilled manpower to the entrepreneurs. As part of the industrial policy, there are multiple kind of incentives to the industry.”

Dr Christy Fernandez, Chairman, KSIDC, who chaired the session, opined that it is necessary to improve the social milieu for the investors who wish to do business in the state. He also added that we have to learn to be proud of our achievements.

Meanwhile, Dr Sharmila Mary Joseph, Secretary, Industries, Govt. of Kerala, and Managing Director, KSIDC, said the government has amended seven acts, 10 rules and issued large number of executive orders and standard operating procedures aiming at the growth of industry. The reform exercise will continue to take Kerala to the top list of industry-friendly states, she said.

Devender Singh, Addl. Chief Secretary (Industries), Haryana; said high quality time-bound service delivery, putting in place strong policy and institutional frameworks, continuous investor engagement through various ways are the secrets that helped Haryana to make it to the third position among the industry-friendly states.

“There are 80-plus enterprises related services and 20-plus departments in one office. Clearances are guaranteed in 45 days (30 days and 15 additional days for clarification) and there is a central inspection system to monitor the process,” he said.

Stating that the state is also harnessing the benefits of social media, Devender said all the information regarding land is available under one website and there is also a dedicated helpdesk system for seamless investor facilitation.