PHDCCI's Bhopal office soon

Chamber plans to open offices in Lucknow, Jaipur also

During its centenary year, the Punjab Haryana Delhi Chambers of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) will have a focused approach to Madhya Pradesh.

The chamber will establish its office in Bhopal by next year with an investment of Rs 2 crore. The construction will start after Diwali this year. The chamber plans to open offices in Lucknow and Jaipur also.

The chamber recently honoured business bosses with the Udyog Ratna award---people who have invested significant amounts in Madhya Pradesh and have plans for the state.

The new office will be named the "Centenary Facilitation Bhawan" and is likely to take shape near Vallabh Bhawan (the state secretariat). Chief Minister Babulal Gaur recently announced one acre for the state arm of PHDCCI.

"We will talk to officials on the land. The office will provide information about corporate houses investing in the state," K N Memani, president, PHDCCI, told Business Standard, adding, "after initial formalities are through, we will talk to industries for funds so that we can offer more facilities to industrial houses."

He also informed the Chandigarh office of PHDCCI was ready and talks were on with the UP and Rajasthan governments on the Lucknow and Jaipur offices. PHDCCI has raised issues like higher taxes on auto components, problems of the textile industry, and power duties.

Memani said, "By opening up an office we will be able to focus on areas like BPO, information technology, the development of international airports in Bhopal and Indore, urban and rural amenities, mining, developing waste land, services, agriculture, and, above all, establishing an economic board comprising experts and bureaucrats.

PHDCCI has pegged the state's GDP growth at 8"�10 per cent per annum for the next 10 years and feels the state will be able to attract investment of $10 billion over the next five years.

New venture

• The chamber will establish its office in Bhopal by next year with an investment of Rs 2 crore
• The new office will be named the 'Centenary Facilitation Bhawan' and is likely to take shape near Vallabh Bhawan (the state secretariat)
• PHDCCI has raised issues like higher taxes on auto components, problems of the textile industry, and power duties
• By opening new offices, the chamber plans to focus on areas like BPO, IT, the development of international airports in Bhopal and Indore, urban and rural amenities