'Karnataka must boost manufacturing'

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Karnataka on Friday renewed hope that manufacturing be encouraged more in Karnataka, making it competitive with global standards, and turning the State into the top manufacturing and investment destination of the country.

Releasing a special document — ‘10 Point Agenda for Improving the Investment Climate for Manufacturing in Karnataka’ at the Sixth CII Karnataka Annual Manufacturing Conference, CII Karnataka Chairman and Bosch Joint Managing Director Soumitra Bhattacharya said, “Though Karnataka has an industrial policy (2009-14), however, the State has lacked in providing focus on industrial development, especially manufacturing. This has led to eroding of the State’s leadership in manufacturing. Thus, most importantly, there is an overarching need for a ‘manufacturing vision’ for Karnataka to try and reagin its earlier position among the top states in India.”  

The document suggests promoting industrial clusters, improving the effectiveness of single-window clearances, easing land acquisition, easing labour laws, augmenting infrastructure availability and skill development, among others, in order to boost the manufacturing sector and motivating entrepreneurship.