CHANDIGARH, Dec 19 — Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Thursday invited British companies to invest in the state, pitching Punjab as a global investment destination with strong infrastructure, skilled manpower and investor-friendly policies during a Punjab–UK Strategic Dialogue session.
Chairing the meeting with British Deputy High Commissioner Alba Samariglio and representatives of UK-linked multinational companies, Mann said Punjab is keen to build long-term business and strategic partnerships with the United Kingdom across both traditional and emerging sectors.
“We want strong collaboration with the UK in areas such as higher education, textiles, engineering, auto components, agriculture and food processing,” Mann said, adding that sectors like pharmaceuticals, health services, information technology and business services also offer major opportunities.
Outlining the state’s advantages, the chief minister said Punjab has five operational airports and robust national highway connectivity, providing easy access to domestic and global markets. He said the availability of a skilled, affordable and peaceful workforce makes Punjab an attractive destination for investors.
Mann highlighted the state’s single-window clearance system, Invest Punjab, which provides time-bound approvals through a deemed approval mechanism. “Our fast-track portal and single-window services reduce compliance burden and improve ease of doing business,” he said.
Inviting UK investors to participate in the Punjab Progressive Investors Summit 2026 in Mohali, Mann proposed a dedicated UK-focused session. He welcomed the presence of companies and institutions including Tynor, Hindustan Unilever, Bedford School, Munjal Birmingham University, Ganga Acrowools, Netsmartz and Rockpacker.
He said fresh investments from the UK could generate large-scale employment for Punjab’s youth and urged companies to explore projects in new technologies, stubble management and eco-friendly solutions. Mann also pointed to improvements in air quality, saying the air quality index has dropped below 70 in many areas due to sustained green initiatives.
The chief minister said the government aims to make women-led Pahal self-help groups a backbone of manufacturing and industry. He also noted that Punjab has two civil aviation clubs, reflecting a focus on aviation skill development.
Referring to historic and emotional ties between Punjab and the UK, Mann said Britain has been a trusted partner for the state and encouraged UK universities to establish campuses in Mohali and other cities for joint research and innovation. He also backed demands for direct Mohali–London flights and urged the Punjabi diaspora to act as brand ambassadors for Punjab.
“Punjab is globally known for sports goods, bicycles and auto components, and partnerships with UK firms will help integrate these sectors into global value chains,” Mann said.
British Deputy High Commissioner Alba Samariglio said she was optimistic that active collaboration would strengthen bilateral ties. “Working with Punjabi diaspora industrialists has been exciting, and there are immense opportunities to deepen cooperation between the UK and Punjab,” she said.
Mann reiterated that the state government is committed to full support for investors, noting that Punjab ranks among the top states in the country for ease of doing business and that Mohali’s IT ecosystem continues to attract domestic and foreign firms.
