The Progressive Punjab Investors Summit 2026 began on a strong note in Mohali on Friday, with investment commitments worth over 10,000 crore on the opening day and major industry leaders announcing expansion plans in the state. Addressing investors and industry leaders, AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal said the Punjab government would provide every facility needed for industries to compete with China, asserting that a business-friendly environment had already helped attract 1.50 lakh crore in investments in four years.
The AAP Supremo highlighted how the Bhagwant Mann government has introduced a 45-day single-window clearance system and is building a business-friendly ecosystem focused on human capital, industrial growth and large-scale job creation for youth. Punjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the summit marked the beginning of a new phase of economic growth, employment and industrial expansion, as the state positions itself as a major investment destination with faster approvals, pro-industry policies and a focus on education, healthcare and skilled manpower.
Addressing the Progressive Punjab Investors Summit, Punjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “In a major boost to the industrial development of the state, the Punjab government has roped in leading industries to invest in Punjab. It is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that on the very first day of the Progressive Punjab Investors Summit 2026, the state has secured investments worth more than 10,000 crore. Major industry leaders such as HMEL, Tata Steel, JSW, Trident Group, Hero Industries and several others have announced plans to expand and set up their ventures in the state.”
Citing examples of local success stories, he said, “Punjab based enterprises such as Sonalika, Preet Tractors, Duke, Monte Carlo and many others are shining examples of local entrepreneurship. The doors of Punjab are open to all investors and we welcome them with a red carpet. Our policies are flexible and designed to meet the needs of industry. I urge all of you to invest here, create jobs for Punjabis and help Punjab write a new success story.”
Welcoming business leaders, Bhagwant Mann further said, “I welcome all business tycoons to the land of Gurus and Pirs. We are honoured to have such eminent personalities among us today. Punjab is one of the most favourable investment destinations in the country and we will leave no stone unturned to facilitate investors. Our vision is to build a strong partnership between the government and industry to make Punjab a leading industrial hub.”
Concluding his remarks, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The future is a shared responsibility for all of us. Punjab is perhaps the only place in the world whose people have a presence across the globe because Punjabis excel wherever they go. Punjabis possess an indomitable spirit to work hard and succeed. Wherever they go they make a mark. Punjab means business and I invite industry leaders to join hands with the government to build a prosperous future together.”
Meanwhile, AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal stated, “There was a time in the 1980s when Punjab ranked number one in the country in terms of per capita income. Economically, Punjab was the most developed and progressive state in the entire country. But over the last 40 years, Punjab gradually slipped down to the 18th position. When we took charge of the government in 2022, there was a very gloomy atmosphere and industries were leaving Punjab. Industries were moving to Madhya Pradesh, some to Himachal Pradesh, and some to Uttar Pradesh. The economic condition of Punjab was extremely poor and the state was burdened with huge debt. It was in that situation that we took charge of Punjab.”
Explaining the approach taken by his party, the AAP Chief said, “I do not consider the Aam Aadmi Party to be just a party, or a political start up, and in industry language it is a ‘unicorn’. The progress that the Aam Aadmi Party has made in the last few years is remarkable. It has been barely 10 to 12 years, and within this short span Aam Aadmi Party has become a national party. Aam Aadmi Party is a party of youth and educated people. In our party you will find IIT engineers, IIM managers, chartered accountants, people educated at Oxford, lawyers, journalists. Therefore whenever a problem arises, we try to analyse it scientifically.”
“When we took charge of the government in Punjab and saw darkness everywhere, we tried to understand how many countries that were once behind India have progressed so much today. Take South Korea, Japan, Germany, Singapore, or China. Japan and Germany were completely devastated after the Second World War, yet today they are among the most developed countries. When Singapore became independent, it had almost nothing and its condition was extremely poor. At that time Singapore was far behind us, yet today Singapore has one of the highest per capita incomes in the world. South Korea was in terrible condition after the Korean War, but today it is one of the most developed countries. China was far behind India a few decades ago, but today China has become the number one country in the world,” he added.
He said, “The first step we took was launching the Fast Track Punjab portal in June last year. If you want to set up a new industry or expand an existing one, you will receive approval within a flat 45 days through a single window system. You simply apply online. There is no need to meet anyone and no need to go anywhere. If approval is not granted within 45 days, then on the 46th day the software automatically grants all approvals. You receive deemed approval from all departments automatically and you do not have to go anywhere.”
“Everywhere people claim there is a single window, but in reality it never exists. However Punjab is different. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann personally monitors it. Cabinet minister Sanjeev Arora personally monitors every proposal. No proposal can go beyond 45 days. Approval is guaranteed within 45 days whether it is a large industry or a small one. I hope that in the coming years we will bring this timeline down to even 10 or 15 days,” he asserted.
Connecting reforms to investment inflows, he emphasised, “The results of all these efforts have started showing. In the last four years Punjab has received investments worth 1.5 lakh crore. I am not talking about MOUs. I am talking about 1.5 lakh crore worth of investments that have already begun. Land has been purchased and projects have started on the ground. These investments will generate 5.5 lakh jobs for our youth.”
Acknowledging the progress made, Arvind Kejriwal said, “In the journey of any state or country, three or four years is a very small period. But if in four years we have managed to change the direction of the wind and bring new energy and positivity about Punjab, then I believe this is a major achievement of the Punjab government.”