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Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday called on the Punjabi diaspora in Seoul, South Korea to act as brand ambassadors of the state and encourage Korean companies to invest in Punjab, which he said has emerged as a preferred global investment destination.Interacting with members of the Punjabi community during his visit to South Korea, Mann said industry-friendly policies have already drawn investors to Punjab and urged the diaspora to further support the state’s push for investment, according to an official statement.He said Punjabis are “born entrepreneurs” and stressed the need for collective efforts to place the state on a stronger industrial growth path. The chief minister said the state government has created conducive conditions for industries and said it was time for overseas Punjabis to contribute to their motherland.Mann said enhanced investments would create employment opportunities for youth and boost industrial growth, contributing to the vision of a ‘Rangla Punjab’. He lauded the global achievements of Punjabis, noting their hard work, innovation and energy. He said his government aims to make Punjab a preferred global hub for industry by ensuring policy stability, speedy decision-making and a governance system that values investor trust. The state’s approach is based on close partnership with industry and enabling growth by addressing investors’ needs, he added.Mann further said Punjab has strengthened its infrastructure, expanded its industrial capacity and opened new avenues for investment.He highlighted governance and regulatory reforms, including the single-window system offering 173 services, auto-deemed approvals, PAN-based business identifiers and amendments to the Punjab Right to Business Act for time-bound clearances.More than Rs 1.4 lakh crore of on-ground investments have already been facilitated, the chief minister said.He said partnership between government and industry is key to success and the state government firmly believes that industrial growth can only be achieved when the two work as equal partners.Managing Director of Aran International Chodda Akash evinced interest in investing in the food processing sector, while eminent scholar Dr Lakhvinder Singh welcomed Punjab’s initiative to hold an investment roadshow in South Korea, particularly in defence and aerospace.Meenakshi Pawar, chairperson of the Punjabi Association in Korea, said the high-level visit from Punjab after a long interval would open new avenues for long-term cooperation.Earlier, Mann met Ambassador of India to the Republic of Korea Gourangalal Das and outlined Punjab’s vision to deepen economic and technological collaboration in sectors such as food processing, agri-tech, renewable energy, manufacturing, defence, aerospace and urban infrastructure.The chief minister highlighted Punjab’s evolving industrial ecosystem, progressive policies, and competitive advantages that position the state as a strategic gateway to North India.On Monday, the Punjab delegation will hold meetings with major Korean firms including Daewoo E and C, GS E and C and Nongshim to explore opportunities in construction engineering, infrastructure and advanced food processing. Mann will later attend a roundtable on ease of doing business in Punjab with legal firms, investors and business associations.The chief minister is leading a delegation to Japan and South Korea as part of the state government’s outreach ahead of the 6th Progressive Punjab Investors’ Summit to be held in Mohali from March 13-15, 2026.
