MOHALI, March 13, 2026 — Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday welcomed captains of industry to the Progressive Punjab Investors Summit 2026, announcing that the state has secured investment commitments exceeding ₹10,000 crore on day one. The Chief Minister maintained that his administration is dedicated to a holistic development model that combines infrastructure growth with high-quality education and healthcare.
The Chief Minister declared that since 2022, Punjab has seen a total investment of ₹1.58 lakh crore, a figure he stated has created employment for over 5.5 lakh youth. He affirmed that the state is currently a top performer in the “Ease of Doing Business” rankings, with a specialized investment promotion agency that operates with total transparency.
“This summit isn’t just an industrial event, but the beginning of a new era of Punjab’s economy,” Mann stated. He noted that the state is aligning its vocational training with industrial needs to ensure a steady pool of skilled manpower. Major corporations such as Hero Industries and HMEL have asserted their commitment to expanding their footprint within the state.
AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal, also in attendance, declared that the era of “paying bribes for approvals” has ended. He affirmed that for MSMEs with investments up to ₹15 crore, the government now accepts self-certification, providing approvals within just five days. Kejriwal maintained that by investing heavily in government schools and hospitals, Punjab has created the necessary social stability required for sustainable industrial expansion. He asserted that the ultimate goal is to empower Punjabi entrepreneurs to manufacture products more affordably than global competitors.
