Indian Chamber of Commerce Western Region office – Mumbai
In April 2015, ICC opened its first office catering to the western India in Mumbai. Mumbai, being the financial capital of India is the most important business center for India. After establishing 5 offices in east India and an office in Delhi, this is ICC’s seventh office.
ICC Western Region office will work actively to promote and protect the interests of business community in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa and Madhya Pradesh. It will proactively work towards anticipating the needs of the future, respond to challenges, and prepare the stakeholders in the economy to benefit from these changes and opportunities. With a strong focus upon Economic Research & Policy issues – it will regularly undertake Macro-economic Surveys / Studies, prepares State Investment Climate Reports and Sector Reports and provides necessary Policy Inputs & Budget Recommendations to Governments at Central and State levels.
Apart from policy advocacy, the ICC Western Region will focus on facilitating investments by its member and non-member companies in western India; will organise focused B2B business meetings, seminars, training programmes and trade missions with a strong focus on state level industry activities for the benefit of member as well as non-member organisations. Additionally it will provide value added services such as visa recommendations, certificate of origin and economic data to its member organizations.
Maharashtra is bordering Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh in the north, the Arabian Sea in the west, Chhattisgarh in the east, and Karnataka, Goa and Andhra Pradesh in the south. With an area covering 308,000 square kilometers, Maharashtra is the third largest state of India.
Maharashtra's industrial sector occupies a prominent position in the national economy. Food products, tobacco and related products, cotton textiles, other textile products, paper and paper products, printing and publishing, rubber, plastic, chemical and chemical products, machinery, electronic apparatus and appliances, and transport equipment contribute substantially to the state's industrial production.
Amongst all Indian states, Maharashtra has the highest level of urbanization. It has been identified as India’s powerhouse with Mumbai at the center point of India’s financial and commercial markets. As the commercial and financial hub of India, Mumbai attracts a large number of foreign investors. Pune, the second largest city in Maharashtra, is the state’s cultural capital and is rapidly maturing into a prime industrial town in its own right.
Infrastructure
The state has an excellent infrastructure which has played a key role in the growth of industry and helped to promote the overall development of the economy.
Roads
The total length of Maharashtra’s roads is over 243,000 kilometers, out of which 223,000 kilometers are paved. Sixteen national highways connect the state with Delhi, Kolkata, Allahabad, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru. The state has an extensive road network, including six-lane expressways linking Mumbai and Pune.
Ports
Maharashtra has a 720-kilometer coastline with Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT) and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) being the two major ports. Combined, the two ports handled 125.41 million tonnes (mt) of cargo traffic in 2014-15, 61.61 mt by MbPT and 63.80 mt by JNPT. As well as the two largest ports, there are also over 50 notified minor ports.
Power
Maharashtra has a large number of thermal power plants across the state. The total electricity generated in 2013-14 is 91,987 million Kwh.
Telecommunications
Maharashtra Telecom Circle (MHTC) provides service to an area of over 310,000 square kilometers. It provides telecom services to 30 million people residing in urban areas and a further 60 million people are residing in rural areas. The state has over 20 percent of broadband subscribers in India.
Investment Climate
Maharashtra has always been at the forefront of the country’s industrial development and continues to attract the largest amount of investment, both domestic and foreign. The state has established strengths in every sector including engineering, automobiles and auto components, chemicals, drugs and pharmaceuticals, textiles, information technology, and biotechnology. It offers good infrastructure, excellent educational facilities, quality trained manpower, a professional work ethic and a conducive business environment. A wide variety of horticultural crops are also grown in the state, making it the major producer of oilseeds, rice, cotton and sugarcane. In addition, the rich heritage, trade, culture, history, and growing economy of the state make it a major tourist attraction.
Biotechnology
Maharashtra is a leader in biotechnology thanks to its excellent private and public institutions, superb infrastructure and proactive government policies. There are some defense research institutions in the state as well, which are conducting advanced research on biomedical, bioinformatics, and biotechnology. Some major companies in the industry have a presence in Maharashtra, including Glaxo SmithKline, Novartis, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson.
Information Technology
Maharashtra is one of the largest software exporting states and is known as the largest market for IT hardware and internet in India. The government of Maharashtra has recognized the IT industry as an important developing sector and is focusing on providing IT-related infrastructure, fiscal incentives to IT units, IT in governance, and institutional framework for the sector. The government is promoting IT initiatives in Pune, Nagpur, Nashik, and Aurangabad, which are cities with the highest IT growth potential. The government is focusing specifically on the development of Maharashtra’s strength in AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics) fields. They are also committed to sustainability and have promoted Green IT. These initiatives have enabled the IT industry to establish a firm foundation for itself in India. Consequently, Maharashtra has become one of the top three states for IT exports and the FDI growth rate of its IT sector is ranked the highest in India.
Agriculture and horticulture
Maharashtra is a leading state in agriculture. Principal crops grown here are rice, wheat, jowar, bajra, and other pulses. The state is also a major producer of oilseeds and cash crops. The state is one of India’s leaders in onion production and horticulture. Grapes produced in the state are now exported abroad. Mangoes, particularly the Alphanso variety grown in Konkan, are already an established name on the international market.
Automobiles
The automobile sector has played a key role in the industrialization of the state. Every segment of the sector is represented, including two and three wheelers, passenger cars, and commercial vehicles. The major automobile centers in the state include Pune, Nashik, Aurangabad, and Nagpur. Pune is home to large automobile and auto ancillary manufacturers. The state’s key competitive advantage in the automobiles and auto components industry is the presence of established manufacturers. The strong presence of the engineering sector is an additional advantage, along with its large skilled labor base. The solid transportation infrastructure also contributes to the logistics-intensive auto industry.
The Land of the Legends, stands bordered by Pakistan and Rajasthan in the north east, Madhya Pradesh in the east, and Maharashtra and the Union territories of Diu, Daman, Dadra and Nagar Haveli in the south. The Arabian Sea borders the state both to the west and the south west.
Gujarat offers a model for Economic Progress and Development for the developing nations. Its significant contribution to Indian Economy has made India visible to a competitive market in spite of the downturn in World Economy. Emerging as ‘Investor friendly’ destinations in the country, Gujarat highlights a luxurious lifestyle of leisure, pleasure, business and Investments.
Gujarat emerges to be an Industrial hub with India’s one of the most Industralised States. Gujarat pays 27% tax of India. Gujarat’s Industrial Policy 2009 is geared for catalyzing Robust, Sustainable and Inclusive Growth. The Industry in Gujarat has evoked new models of development. Enhancing IRs and SIRs while traversing through Product Clusters, Industrial Estates, Industrial Parks and SEZ, these phases have met with success and co-exist as Gujarat plunges to expansion with Business growth. Increasing Industrial activity in Gujarat has led to vast Business Resources and immense prosperity for the people of Gujarat.
Infrastructure
Gujarat has a robust Infrastructure and is pioneer in Public-Private partnership. It takes to its credit as ‘Asia’s Biggest’ Investment Infrastructure Opportunity Centre.’ Gujarat state have strategically developed very efficient and cost affective infrastructure which boost states Urban and Industrial growth.
It’s relentless quest for a larger image of Gujarat with all round development is foreseen bearing fruits of success. As one of the youngest States of the Indian Federation, Gujarat’s track record has shown impressive Development which make it a ‘Growth Engine of Gujarat.’
Gujarat is located on the western coast of the Indian Peninsula. It has the longest coastline in the country of about 1600 kms. Therefore, Gujarat plays host to foreign trade and is a natural ‘Gateway’ to the fast growing economy. Conducive business environment, abundance of natural resources, skilled and semi-skilled man power, proximity to markets, responsive administration are a few reasons why Gujarat has turned a ‘Leader.’ A steady implementation of structural reforms to make Gujarat shine with its ‘Vibrant Economy’ is steadfastly growing at 15% of Industrial Growth with 18% of Country’s Industrial Investment in Gujarat.
Madhya Pradesh, with an area of 3, 08, 000 sq.km. is the second largest state in India. It is a part of peninsular plateau of India lying in north central part, whose boundary can be classified in the north by the plains of Ganga-Yamuna, in the west by the Aravali, east by the Chhattisgarh plain and in the south by the Tapti valley and the plateau of Maharashtra.
Economy
Madhya Pradesh, India's second largest state, which occupies 9.38% of the country's area, is also the second richest state in terms of its mineral resources. Primarily, it has an agricultural and pastoral economy. Industrial development is primarily concentrated in the more advance districts like Indore, Bhopal, Gwalior and Jabalpur.
A large part of the mineral production of India is contributed by Madhya Pradesh. Big reserves of Manganese are found in Balaghat and Chhindwara districts. The state also produces about 45% of Bauxite in India with Jabalpur, Mandla, Shahdol, Satna and Rewa being the important Bauxite producing centers. Iron ore deposits are found in Balaghat, Jabalpur and Mandla districts. The State of Madhya Pradesh also has rich reserves of coal in the northeastern and Satpura regions. The state has the distinction of being the only diamonds producing state in India, with production in Panna and Chhatishgarh districts.
Over 30% of the State's total area is enveloped by the forest. The eastern districts of Balaghat, Mandla, Shahdol, Sidhi have dense forest cover. The abundantly found trees include Teak, Sal, Bamboo and Tendu. Agriculture is the main occupation of villagers, Wheat, Soybean and Jowar (Sorghum) are the main Crops. Paddy and Coarse Millets are also sown in large parts. Pulses, Cereals and Groundnut are also grown. Important among the cash crops are Cotton, Sugarcane and Oil Seeds. Mandsaur is the largest opium producing district in the country.
The irrigation of land is mostly dependent on major rivers like Narmada, Chambal, Tapti, Betwa, Sone, Shipra, Kali Sindh and Tava. The Chambal valley and the Narmada valley offer good potential for hydroelectric power generation. Besides Thermal and Hydro power generation, numerous other conventional and non-conventional power projects are in place or in the stages of progress. Road density is increasing continuously with present road length being over 80 thousand kms. Communications are well developed.
Rail route connecting different parts of India passes through Madhya Pradesh. Major airports link all major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Varanasi, Nagpur, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai etc. Telephone and cellular service provider BSNL and other private operators are operational; internet access is easy across the state. The big industries are mostly in districts of Indore, Bhopal, Gwalior and Jabalpur. Cement, sugar, paper, textile, steel, soya, vehicles and medicine are the major industries today. BHEL in Bhopal, Government Ordnance Factory Jabalpur, Currency Printing Press at Dewas, Alkaloid Factory at Neemuch, Rail Coach Factory Bhopal are notable Central Government managed organisations. Mineral development, industries based on agricultural and forest produce continue to be the mainstay of industrial production in the state.
Madhya Pradesh has enormous potential and resources to become a major tourism destination. Numerous monuments of historical, archaeological, architectural and pilgrimage importance dot the state. The forests are teeming with all kinds of wildlife. Because of its central location and easy accessibility, tourism is becoming a major attraction.
Goa is the smallest state in India by area and the fourth smallest by population. It is bordered by Karnataka to the east and south, Maharashtra to the North and the Arabian Sea all along its coast.
Area
The state of Goa covers an area of 3,702 sq. km.
Capital of Goa
Panaji is the capital of Goa.
Population
A brief summary of the 2011 census: Goa's population is 1458545 with 739140 Males and 719405 Females. The growth of 14.8 per cent, during 1991 to 2000, is lower than the 16.08 per cent recorded during 1981 to 1990.
- The sex-ratio (number of females per thousand males) in Goa is 973 in 2011 compared to 967 in 1991.
- The density of population per sq km in Goa is 364 in 2001 as compared to 316 in 1991. North Goa has a much higher density (437) as compared to South Goa (300). The national figure is 324.
- The literacy rate is 80 per cent. 83.3 per cent of the male and 76.4 per cent of the female population is literate.
Principal Languages
At present, Marathi and Konkani are two major languages of Goa. Hindi, the national language of India, is well understood in Goa. In major towns, English is widely used in writing and conversation.
On the other hand, Portuguese, the language of the colonial rulers and the official language till 1961 before liberation, notwithstanding the official patronage and a compulsory medium of study, failed to make a dent in the mind of the majority of Goans.
It remained only the language of the elite but alienated the masses. Thus just after the departure of the Portuguese, Portuguese lost all its favour and usage. However, very few - particularly the older or pre-liberation generation - still use Portuguese.
Thus Goa is a multi-lingual state, thanks to its diverse history of thousands of years, which has seen people of various regions, ethnic races and religions from India and abroad coming over to and settling in Goa, while influencing the local language.
Natural Resources
Rivers
The major rivers flowing through the state are Mandovi, Zuari, Terekhol, Chapora and Betul. The other major rivers include the Tiracol, Chapora, Sal and the Talpona.
Forests
The state has a total forest cover of more than 1,424 sq. km covering almost one-third of the total area. Forests provide important products namely bamboo, Maratha barks, chillar barks and bhirand. These are of great economic value for rural mass. Coconut trees are present in almost the whole of Goa except in the upper regions. Goa’s vegetation also includes cashew, mango, jackfruits and pineapples.
Minerals
Goa is rich in mineral resources. Major minerals include iron ore, manganese, ferro-manganese, bauxite and silica sand. Iron and manganese mining industries are the backbone of Goa’s economy.
This Department is headed by Sharmila Banerjee
