SAS NAGAR, March 15: — Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has outlined a strategic roadmap to transform Punjab into a global export hub, emphasizing industrial growth and agricultural diversification. During the Progressive Punjab Investors Summit on Saturday, the Chief Minister stated that the establishment of three international-standard exhibition centres in Amritsar, Ludhiana, and Mohali will serve as a catalyst for this economic evolution.
The Chief Minister affirmed that the state must move beyond the traditional wheat-paddy cycle to ensure long-term prosperity for farmers. He declared that food processing is the key to this transition, citing the success of local sourcing for major processing plants as a model for future partnerships. Mann stated that specialized crops like Hoshiarpur’s mangoes and Pathankot’s litchis offer immense potential for value addition.
“Our goal is to prepare Punjab for the needs of the next fifty years,” the Chief Minister asserted. He noted that Punjab currently exports goods worth over USD 7 billion and hosts more than 14 lakh MSMEs. Mann declared that the newly launched Industrial and Business Development Policy 2026 is one of the most progressive frameworks in the country, designed to simplify approvals and support project implementation.
The Chief Minister further maintained that the state is committed to sustainable energy solutions, particularly in the bioenergy sector. He stated that the 20 million tonnes of paddy straw produced annually are being converted into opportunities through compressed biogas and biomass power projects. Mann affirmed that such initiatives not only address environmental challenges but also generate additional income for the rural population.
