Industrial growth in Himachal Pradesh, a state that is over-regulated, stagnating; Chamber of Indian Industries in its pre-budget (2016-17) memorandum to the government has asked for a firm focus on Ease of Doing Business to boost the investment climate in the state.
“Though the State Government is doing a commendable job for attracting investments in the state, however there is also a need to create an enabling environment for doing business in the state. Certain policy reforms are required with focus on attracting investments, job creation, sustainable development, and entrepreneurship promotion, enhancing tourism and skill development”, mentioned Mr Rajiv Aggarwal, Chairman, CII Himachal Pradesh State Council. 
On the issue of Ease of Doing Business, CII strongly recommends the State Government to officially commence the “Udyog Saral Diwas” where the Government meets the representatives of industry and industrial associations to hear their concerns and solve them, to create a separate single-window clearance agency for MSMEs, simplification of resumption of Industrial plots, time-bound VAT refund, an exit policy for the state, railway connectivity between Baddi – Chandigarh – Kala Amb – Paonta Sahib – Dehradun to provide logistics advantage to the landlocked state, and reforms in labour laws added Mr Aggarwal.
State offers tremendous opportunities in the state and to harness this potential the state Government should provide adequate infrastructure through special budgetary allocations. To boost tourism, CII recommends the State Government to create way side amenities for tourists on major tourist destinations and also intensify its public transport for tourists visiting Himachal.
Commenting on an important view Mr Sanjay Khurana, Vice- Chairman, CII Himachal Pradesh State Council said that the industry still awaits for an Entrepreneurship policy for the state and also proposes the launch of “Chief Minister’s Start–up Scheme” to provide single point support to potential entrepreneurs and struggling first generation small scale industries in Himachal Pradesh.
He further added that CII also proposes relaxation on various State Level taxes for the start-ups in the state and to partner with GITA (Global Innovation & Technology Alliance) and relevant National Industrial Body to establish its Himachal Pradesh Incubation Centre and to launch key initiatives in the state towards transforming Himachal Pradesh to a Knowledge Driven Economy.
