PHDCCI for rural business hubs in Himachal

The PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) has suggested to the Himachal Pradesh government to develop rural business hubs (RBHs) to generate jobs in the countryside, where 90 per cent of the hill folk live.

The PHDCCI has urged local bodies to tie up with state and private agencies to achieve these goals in Himachal which has a huge potential for exporting handicrafts, agro-based products, particularly organic agro produce.

"Rural 'haats' should be set up in collaboration with the private sector and promoted through the union tourism ministry and the state tourism department. The Centre has already launched an initiative to develop rural tourism hubs which should be integrated with Panchayati Raj institutions (PRIs) for effective functioning," said a spokesman of the chamber here.

"A good network of engineering and foundry industries, agro-based and livestock-based industries can be created in Una, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Sirmaur and Solan districts. On the other hand, Shimla, Kullu, Chamba, Mandi, Bilaspur and Solan are also suitable for horticulure and forest-based industries," said the spokesman.