Chief Minister ML Khattar Seeks US Investment With 'Happening Haryana'

Washington: Describing his state as "Happening Haryana", Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has sought large-scale FDI from US companies, offering them a series of attractive incentives and tax concessions.

Mr Khattar has been meeting representatives of top American companies ever since his arrival in the US on August 16.

With Haryana - because of its proximity to the national capital - already home to a significantly large number of US companies, Mr Khattar's announcement of a series of business-friendly moves might as well make the state the top FDI destination in India, according to officials.

In his presentation at the US-India Business Council (USIBC), Mr Khattar said that land registration in Haryana is now enabled through information technology, much to the cheers of US industries.

Long-pending land acquisition cases have been resolved and infrastructure construction is faster, he said.

Welcoming the new announcements, USIBC president Mukesh Aghi said Haryana has emerged as a major investment hub in north India.

"The state's 'Enterprise Promotion Policy 2015' aims at enhancing the ease-of-doing business, promotes micro, small- scale and medium enterprises and encourages long-term investment in the state to flourish.

"All these measures are critical for not just enhancing the perception of doing business in India, but also  indicate the reality of ease of doing business," Mr Aghi said.

According to Sonny Khurana, President and CEO of iTECH - a leading distribution company in the telecom sector - Haryana, with its diversified economy and vibrant cities, is well positioned to leverage initiatives such as Make in India and Smart Cities.

Mr Khattar said the BJP government in Haryana strives to attract both international and domestic business to the state.

"To achieve this end, I am proud of the reform efforts that we have made to make public services more efficient," he said.