A target of Rs 50 lakh crore investment in the next five years: Dilip Jaiswal

Patna, April 6 (ABN) Minister of Industry, Dilip Jaiswal, said on Monday that industrial development in the state is moving forward rapidly and Bihar is emerging as an emerging industrial hub in eastern India. Mr. Jaiswal stated that the Bihar government has set a target to attract an investment of Rs 50 lakh crore and create one crore employment opportunities in the state over the next five years.

Addressing a press conference today, highlighting the achievements of the Department of Industry for the financial year 2025-26, he said that during this period, the state received 747 investment proposals worth over Rs 17,217 crore. Additionally, 317 investors have been allotted land, which is expected to generate an investment of Rs 5,500 crore and create over 22,500 employment opportunities.

The Minister said that the government has implemented the Bihar Industrial Investment Promotion Package 2025 and the Semiconductor Policy 2026 to promote investment. He also announced that the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Directorate and the Bihar State Marketing Authority have been approved. Furthermore, the process has been simplified by implementing a single-window system under 'Ease of Doing Business'.

In line with the objective of positioning Bihar among the country's key investment destinations, the state government is continuously investing in world-class industrial townships and modern industrial zones to ensure comprehensive and sustainable industrial development. Industrial development has been given top priority under the 'Saath Nischay' (Seven Resolves) initiative (2025-2030), conceptualized under 'Prosperous Industry - Empowered Bihar'.

In this context, the Department of Industry, Government of Bihar, has already initiated the process of implementing related schemes and activities for the financial year 2025-26. The department has taken several key steps, including the establishment of three high-level apex committees by the new government in its first cabinet meeting. These committees have been given a clear mandate to establish Bihar as an 'Eastern Tech Hub', develop it as a global backend hub and a 'Global Work Place', and ensure extensive employment-based activities in start-ups and new-age economy sectors.

The Bihar State Marketing Authority (BSMA) has been established as a nodal agency for the state, responsible for marketing, branding, and promoting products related to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), agro-based industries, cottage industries, handicrafts, and rural institutions. To attract global and domestic investors, the state government has implemented the Bihar Industrial Investment Promotion Package (BIIPP), 2025, which offers a highly competitive incentive framework, including free industrial land, capital subsidy, interest subsidy, SGST payment, and output-based incentives for high-value investments.

The Bihar Semiconductor Policy, 2026, recently approved by the State Council of Ministers, aims to establish Bihar as an emerging technology hub in eastern India. Under this initiative, investments will be encouraged in the semiconductor and allied electronics value chain, including design, fabrication, assembly, testing, and packaging, along with the promotion of Global Capability Centers (GCCs).

The state government has also implemented a comprehensive framework of sector-specific policies to attract targeted investments. These include the Bihar Biofuel Production Promotion (Amendment) Policy, Export Promotion Policy 2024, Bihar Logistics Policy 2024, Textile and Leather Policy 2022, and the Bihar Startup Policy 2022. Bihar's industrial policies are among the most competitive in the country, collectively forming a comprehensive and proactive ecosystem designed to promote long-term regional development and diversified industrial growth within the state.

The state's clear vision is "Policy for All", ensuring equal opportunities for entrepreneurs across all categories. To attract a large number of investors to the state, the Department of Industry has organized various meetings at the national and international levels. Notable events include the 'Lotus Triangle Mega Launch and Road Show' in Thailand in March 2026, the Bangalore Road Show, the Expo Conference in Kolkata in February, the 'AI Impact Summit' in New Delhi, the 'Mega Export Promotion Program' in Patna, and the 'Maha World Expo Summit' in Mumbai in August.

During the year 2025-26, the state has made significant progress in the investment sector. A total of 747 investment proposals were received during this period, with a proposed investment of over Rs 17,217 crore. Additionally, 404 acres of land were allotted to 317 investors through BIADA, resulting in potential investments of Rs 5,500 crore and creating over 22,500 employment opportunities. Notable investors include Reliance Industries Limited, J.K. Lakshmi Cement, Epic Agro (Campacola), Shyam Steel Private Limited, P.D. Lime Light Industries, Mother Dairy, Aditya Birla Group (UltraTech/Textile Division), and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited.

Bihar has been integrated with the National Single Window System (NSWS), providing a unified platform for approvals at both central and state levels. Complete integration has been achieved through PAN-based onboarding, enabling real-time verification for investors. In compliance with the *Jan Vishwas Act*, a state-level act has been approved and subsequently signed by the Honorable Governor.

Women are now allowed to work in factories from 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM, provided that safe working conditions are ensured. With the consent of employees, factories can operate for up to 12 hours a day (including rest breaks), as long as the weekly work limit of 48 hours is maintained. Additionally, paid leave will be granted for non-working days.

Under the Industrial Disputes Act, the threshold for retrenchment, closure of establishments, and temporary layoff has been increased from 100 workers to 300 workers. This move protects continuous industrial operations and helps prevent the misuse of short-term labor.

The Amritsar-Kolkata Industrial Corridor (AKIC) project is being developed at a cost of approximately Rs 1,339 crore on 1,670.22 acres of land in the Dobhi block of Gaya district. The project is expected to commence soon. A leather park is being set up on 62.17 acres of land within the Maujwal Industrial Area.

In the industrial area of Muzaffarpur, 'plug and play' sheds have been established for textile and bag manufacturing, with a total investment of Rs 554.57 crore. Approximately 3,600 workers are currently employed there. The mega food park within the Damodarpur Industrial Area has seen an investment of over Rs 587.18 crore.

The state government has proposed the development of integrated industrial townships in various districts. A multi-model logistic park is being developed on 102 acres of land in the Jatihia Mohalla area of Fatuha. Additionally, a 'FinTech City' is planned on 242 adjacent acres, aiming to provide ready-to-use infrastructure for IT and FinTech companies.

The Department of Industry has organized various events to promote investment, including the 'Lotus Triangle Mega Launch and Road Show' in Thailand, the Bangalore Road Show, and the 'Maha World Expo Summit' in Mumbai. During the financial year 2025-26, the state received 747 investment proposals, with a proposed investment of over Rs 17,217 crore.

In the financial year 2025-26, a total of 109 start-ups were registered under the Bihar Startup Policy. So far, a total of 1,653 start-ups have been selected, with 1,456 start-ups receiving financial assistance, and a total of Rs 92.2 crore has been disbursed.

Under various funding support schemes, 692 start-ups received financial assistance during the financial year 2025-26, with a total of Rs 27.84 crore disbursed. As part of the 'Startup Bihar' initiative, 242 women-led start-ups are currently registered. A total of 47 start-up cells and 22 incubation centers have been established in educational institutions, providing guidance, training, and access to resources for emerging entrepreneurs.

Three co-working spaces have been set up in Patna and Purnea, offering affordable office facilities to approximately 300 individuals. In collaboration with IIT Patna, a 'Zero Lab' has been established to provide guidance, handholding support, and assistance to start-ups during the ideation stage.

The 'Startup Bihar' initiative has been recognized as an "Aspiring Leader" in the state startup ranking by the DPIIT. The state government is providing financial and institutional support for the establishment of business enterprises under the *Mukhyamantri Udyami Yojana*, with the objective of promoting self-employment, entrepreneurship, and job creation within the state.

Under this scheme, a total of 44,179 beneficiaries have received financial assistance of approximately Rs 3,242.19 crore so far. For the financial year 2025-26, a total of 9,347 beneficiaries are expected to be selected, as per the district-wise and category-wise targets set for the scheme.

The Department of Social Welfare, Government of Bihar, has launched the *Devyangjan* scheme to ensure the economic development of persons with disabilities and enable them to become self-sufficient. The handloom and silk sectors are vital components of the state's rural economy. During the financial year 2025-26, a total of Rs 198.25 lakh was approved, resulting in the distribution of Rs 171.45 lakh to 1,143 eligible weavers at a rate of Rs 15,000 per weaver for the purchase of yarn.

The *Khadi and Village Industries* sector is promoting local production and employment. The Patna Khadi Mall recorded sales of Rs 22 crore during the financial year