Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday called for stronger and wider engagement with the United Kingdom, urging businesses and institutions to explore Punjab as a long-term partner for growth, innovation and investment. Chairing the Punjab–UK Engagement Strategic Dialogue, the Chief Minister said the state is ready to expand cooperation beyond traditional sectors and tap into emerging business opportunities.
Interacting with British Deputy High Commissioner Alba Smeriglio and representatives of UK-linked and multinational companies, Mann said Punjab has identified five key pillars for collaboration including higher education, textiles, engineering, auto components, and agro and food processing. Alongside these, the state is opening doors in new domains such as pharmaceuticals and healthcare, information technology, Global Capability Centres, and business services, reflecting Punjab’s evolving economic profile.
The Chief Minister presented a comprehensive overview of Punjab’s strengths, noting that the state offers strong physical connectivity with five operational airports and an extensive national highway network. This connectivity, he said, provides seamless access to domestic and international markets, making Punjab a natural hub for manufacturing, services and exports.
Highlighting the availability of skilled human resources, Mann said Punjab’s educated and disciplined workforce remains one of its biggest advantages. He added that peaceful industrial relations and competitive labour conditions make the state attractive for both domestic and foreign investors. To reinforce investor confidence, he underlined that Invest Punjab functions as a single-point regulator, ensuring time-bound approvals under a deemed clearance system. He said simplified procedures through the fast-track portal and single-window mechanism have significantly improved the Ease of Doing Business in the state.
Sharing his vision for Punjab’s economic future, the Chief Minister said the government is focused on accelerating growth through targeted policies and global partnerships. He encouraged UK-based companies and members of the Punjabi diaspora to establish or expand their operations in Punjab, assuring them of robust infrastructure, reliable power supply and a supportive policy environment.
Mann also invited UK investors to participate in the Progressive Punjab Investors Summit 2026 in Mohali, proposing a dedicated UK-focused session to strengthen institutional and business-level engagement. Companies that took part in the dialogue included firms from manufacturing, education, IT and consumer goods sectors, many of which have historical or ancestral ties with Punjab.
Emphasising employment generation, the Chief Minister said enhanced UK investment could create large-scale job opportunities for Punjab’s youth. He also urged companies to collaborate on solutions for paddy straw management and green technologies, aligning economic growth with environmental sustainability. He noted that sustained efforts have led to a visible improvement in Punjab’s air quality, with AQI levels dropping below 70 in several areas.
Mann highlighted initiatives aimed at inclusive growth, including ‘Pehal’, a self-help group programme empowering rural women. He said Punjab aims to make its rural women a strong pillar of industrial and manufacturing expansion. He also pointed out that the state has established two civil aviation clubs, signalling its focus on aviation skills and future-ready infrastructure.
Reaffirming the deep historical and emotional ties between Punjab and the UK, the Chief Minister said the relationship goes beyond commerce and is rooted in shared people-to-people connections. He invited UK universities to set up campuses in Mohali and other parts of Punjab to promote joint research, innovation and high-quality education. Mann also supported the demand for a direct flight between Mohali and London, stating that it would further strengthen economic, academic and cultural exchanges.
He added that Punjab is globally recognised for sectors such as sports goods, bicycle manufacturing and auto components, and collaboration with UK firms can help integrate these industries more effectively into global value chains. Stressing the state’s investor-friendly approach, Mann said Punjab is keen to deepen ties with the UK not only in business but also in innovation, sustainability and skill development.
British Deputy High Commissioner Alba Smeriglio welcomed Punjab’s proactive approach and expressed optimism about expanding bilateral cooperation. She said the dialogue highlighted the vast potential for collaboration across multiple sectors and described her engagement with the Punjabi business community as both encouraging and promising.
