Finance chief Paul Chan Mo-po delivered the address, painting an optimistic picture. Last year, the economy expanded 3.5 percent, fueled by strong exports, consumer spending surges, and investment booms—achieving growth for the third straight year.

Forecasts for this year predict 2.5-3.5 percent GDP increase, paired with 1.8 percent inflation. Chan emphasized resilience: ‘External challenges persist, but our fundamentals shine.’

A centerpiece is the new ‘AI+ and Industrial Development Strategy Committee’ under Chan’s leadership. It will craft policies to advance AI in industry, fostering supportive ecosystems. Invitations extend to scholars, enterprises, and tech parks, targeting life, health, and embodied intelligence first.

This comes as AI applications accelerate worldwide. Hong Kong aims to capitalize, blending finance prowess with tech innovation. Budget measures support R&D, talent attraction, and infrastructure upgrades.

Market reactions were positive, with stocks ticking up. ‘Strategic AI focus aligns with global trends,’ said a sector expert. Private consumption and investments will receive targeted stimuli to maintain trajectory.

As Beijing backs Hong Kong’s role in Greater Bay Area integration, this budget reinforces its innovation hub status. Steady growth projections reflect confidence, setting the stage for long-term competitiveness.

The Monday meeting at the ministry zeroed in on the Rs 16 crore water supply project, where progress has barely crossed Rs 7 crore. Once operational, it will pump 5 million liters per day to the town council and another 5 MLD to industries, transforming water availability and spurring growth.

Shukla laid down the law: industrial success hinges on flawless basics—electricity, water, roads, drainage. He ordered utmost urgency in all fronts, from power lines to sewer systems, with top brass tasked to oversee weekly check-ins.

This push is set to supercharge Rewa’s economy, creating a cascade of jobs as factories sprout. ‘Coordination is key,’ Shukla told department heads, with MPIDC’s MD Chandramouli Shukla among those present. The message is loud: get it done, or face consequences, paving the way for youth employment and regional prosperity.

Hosted at his Patna residence, the crucial session involved top NDA officials visiting under the Defence Ministry’s study program. Conversations spanned the corridor’s strategic planning, growth prospects, and implementation roadmap, fostering productive insights.

This engagement signals Bihar’s bold stride towards industrial self-reliance and security enhancement, Choudhary noted. Led by CM Nitish Kumar, the NDA administration has already delivered over 50 lakh jobs in five years. The next half-decade aims for a staggering one crore employments.

Choudhary stressed the vision of a self-sufficient Bihar where locals thrive without leaving home for livelihoods. Industrial promotion is in full swing, exemplified by the expansive Dobhi Industrial Corridor in Gaya, set to redefine regional development.

Parallel projects include semiconductor parks and fresh industrial hubs in areas like Bhagalpur. The corridor will carve Bihar’s niche in defense manufacturing and tech innovation. Powered by the synergy of state and central governments, Bihar is gearing up to be India’s next employment powerhouse—a vision advanced by today’s defence team deliberations.

Speaking to reporters, BJP spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya highlighted footage of riotous mobs disrupting SIR site preparations. ‘This is state-sponsored anarchy,’ he charged. ‘They fear the SIR will expose their syndicate raj and bring real progress to the people.’

The SIR project, backed by national industrial policies, aims to transform underdeveloped areas into economic powerhouses. But protests—marked by vandalism and assaults on officials—have forced repeated halts. BJP MPs have written to the Union Home Minister, seeking deployment of central forces to protect the initiative.

Residents in affected areas express frustration over the mayhem. ‘We want jobs, not jungles of violence,’ said one local farmer. Economic experts estimate the SIR could generate over 50,000 employments, a lifeline for youth unemployment plaguing the state.

While TMC leaders counter that the protests are spontaneous land rights movements, BJP counters with intelligence suggesting political orchestration. As the situation spirals, national media attention intensifies, putting pressure on the state government. The coming weeks will test whether Bengal can prioritize growth over political gamesmanship.

The state’s unparalleled growth story sets it apart. Home to Asia’s largest ship-breaking yard, multiple special economic zones, and a burgeoning fintech ecosystem, Gujarat exemplifies ‘Make in India’. Goyal detailed how the Vibrant Gujarat Summit has evolved into a global platform, drawing commitments worth trillions over the years.

Key highlights included Gujarat’s dominance in diamond processing (90% of global supply), pharmaceutical production, and textile exports. Goyal revealed ambitious targets: doubling manufacturing GDP contribution to 25% and positioning Gujarat as India’s semiconductor capital.

‘Investment flows where ease meets opportunity, and Gujarat delivers both,’ Goyal stated. He spotlighted the PM Gati Shakti initiative’s impact, with multi-modal connectivity slashing logistics costs by 20%. Upcoming hyperloop projects and dedicated freight corridors will further boost competitiveness.

The event saw participation from Fortune 500 CEOs, with anchor investments in electric vehicles, data centers, and space tech. Goyal emphasized skilling programs training 1 million youth annually, creating a ready workforce for Industry 4.0.

Looking ahead, Gujarat aims for carbon-neutral industrial parks and blue economy expansion. Goyal linked this to national priorities like PLI schemes, where Gujarat has secured the lion’s share of incentives. As partnerships solidify, Gujarat stands tall as the catalyst transforming India’s economic aspirations into reality by 2047.

Chaudhary emphasized that this is a significant step towards boosting industrial investment. He highlighted the NDA government’s efforts to promote industries, create employment opportunities, and strengthen the state’s economy under the leadership of Nitish Kumar. The government recently approved the New Industrial Policy 2025 and the financial incentive clearance for the readymade garments unit. He added that such investments would generate new employment opportunities in Bihar and give a new direction to the industrial development of the state.

The Deputy Chief Minister also addressed the Bihar Idea Festival held at Bapu Auditorium in Patna. He stated that Bihar is rapidly progressing towards industrial development. He mentioned that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman have provided industrial corridors for the development of Bihar. An industrial corridor is under construction in Gaya, spanning 1700 acres, with the Bihar government providing an additional 1300 acres of land. The Deputy CM requested Union Minister Piyush Goyal for at least four more industrial corridors, citing the needs of Bihar’s 14 crore population. Goyal responded by immediately acknowledging the request and announced the construction of four industrial corridors in different areas of Bihar. Goyal also praised the New Bihar Industrial Investment Promotion Package-2025, calling it the simplest and most generous package in the country.

Chaudhary thanked Union Minister Goyal, stating that it is a historic time when, under the leadership of Nitish Kumar, they are moving forward to establish industries that will provide employment to not just thousands, but lakhs of people. He noted Bihar’s progress under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the leadership of Nitish Kumar.

The Deputy Chief Minister highlighted the state’s improved infrastructure, including a network of world-class roads, allowing travel from Patna to any corner of the state within four to five hours. Bihar is also advancing in rail expansion, with 13 Vande Bharat trains in operation. Marine drives are being constructed along the Ganga River from Digha to Koilwar and Munger to Bhagalpur. Five major expressway projects have been approved.

Chaudhary also noted that 17 ethanol plants have been established in the state. Corn, wheat, and even rice husk are being processed to produce ethanol. Bihar has provided employment to approximately 40 lakh people in the last five years. The target for 2025-30 is to provide one crore government jobs and employment.

He added that Prime Minister Modi has given Bihar schemes worth 1.65 lakh crore rupees. On September 15th, he will inaugurate and lay the foundation for projects worth approximately 50,000 crore rupees in Purnia. Following the Darbhanga Airport, the Purnia Airport will be inaugurated on September 15th. This will be Bihar’s largest runway airport.

Chaudhary stated that Bihar is currently producing and consuming 9,000 megawatts of electricity. The state has created a conducive environment for industries with roads, electricity, and the New Industrial Policy 2025. He predicted that industrialists would come to Bihar without invitation in the next two years. He concluded by saying that Bihar’s progress is essential for the nation’s progress, emphasizing the importance of industries becoming Bihar’s identity, and that the prosperity of Bihar will lead to the prosperity of the nation.

This project, entrusted to Adani Power, is expected to generate thousands of employment opportunities within the district. Energy Secretary has mandated the completion of the project within three years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is anticipated to lay the foundation stone on September 15th in Purnia, with preparations in full swing.

The plant’s strategic location, near the Ganga River to the north, the ancient Vikramshila University and Bateshwar Sthan to the south, the Jharkhand hills to the east, and the Rajmahal coal mine to the south, offers robust connectivity and favorable geographical conditions. The area benefits from ongoing railway projects, including a route from Pirpainti to Hansdiha via Godda and another connecting Katihar to Gorakhpur and Guwahati, making it historically significant. The project site is conveniently located just one kilometer from Pirpainti railway station.

This thermal power plant will provide employment for a large number of people. Initially, it could generate employment for 50,000 people. Furthermore, it will promote the establishment of food processing units and cement factories. This represents a major investment in Eastern India. The Chief Secretary of the Energy Department and Managing Director inspected the project site and instructed officials to complete the pairing work by October and hand it over to the Adani Group. The project is expected to be a milestone for Bihar, generating employment for the people. The DM, Dr. Naval Kishore Chaudhary, has stated that the project will bring significant economic changes and provide large-scale employment opportunities for local residents.