CII: Sambhajinagar Key to India''s Manufacturing Ambitions

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Aug 11 (PTI) Maharashtra's Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar has the potential to evolve into a globally competitive manufacturing hub, backed by the Aurangabad Industrial City (AURIC), a strong manufacturing base, skilled talent and resilient supply chains, a top CII official said on Tuesday.

According to Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Western Region Deputy Chairman Milon Nag, regions beyond India's traditional metropolitan centres could become important engines of the country's next phase of economic growth.

Addressing a media roundtable in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (formerly Aurangabad), an industrial town in central Maharashtra, he noted the western state's ambition of becoming a USD 1 trillion economy (by 2030) would require stronger collaboration between the government and industry.

He identified the Shendra-Bidkin Industrial Area, a part of AURIC, as a key catalyst for bringing together investment, infrastructure, technology, skills, innovation and employment in the state.

"At a time when global companies are looking to diversify supply chains and build resilient manufacturing partnerships, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar has an opportunity to play a much larger role in India's global manufacturing ambitions," Nag emphasised.

He maintained Maharashtra's ambition of becoming a USD 1 trillion economy would require stronger collaboration between the state government and industry, with the CII working to identify industry challenges and develop practical solutions.

Investment alone would not be sufficient to create a successful industrial ecosystem, the CII official insisted.


"Investment alone would not be sufficient to create a successful industrial ecosystem. It also requires policy support, skilled talent, competitive MSMEs, technology adoption, innovation, quality infrastructure and robust supply chains would need to develop together," Nag stated.

Nag informed that the CII has identified six broad priorities for stronger government-industry collaboration as Maharashtra works towards its USD 1 trillion economy target.

"These broad priorities consist of promoting advanced manufacturing through artificial intelligence, automation, robotics, research and development and technology adoption; improving ease of doing business and accelerating employment generation; strengthening MSME competitiveness through technology, finance and integration with global value chains; developing future-ready skills; accelerating green growth; and promoting regional industrial development," he noted.

Nag said industrial centres such as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and AURIC could emerge as important growth centres under this strategy.

He emphasized on the skilling initiative of the apex industry organization.

"The CII is working to strengthen the regional industrial ecosystem through skilling, MSME competitiveness and industry linkages. The CII MSTI-MITL Skill Centre at AURIC focuses on industry-aligned skills, while its MSME initiatives include buyer-seller meets, export-readiness programmes, and technology initiatives and quality improvement programmes," Nag stated.

The next phase of Maharashtra's growth would depend on creating integrated regional ecosystems where investment generates jobs, infrastructure enables industry, skills improve employability, MSMEs become stronger suppliers and technology enhances competitiveness, he added.