Agra, October 18, 2021: The Corporate Council for Leadership & Awareness (CCLA), in association with the Agra Footwear Manufacturers & Exporters Chamber (AFMEC), organized an interactive session with Shri Dharmveer Prajapati, Hon’ble Minister of State for Industrial Development, Government of Uttar Pradesh, at Hotel Bhawna Clarks Inn, Agra, to deliberate on key issues affecting industrial growth and investment in the region.

The dialogue brought together representatives from various industrial and trade associations, who shared their concerns regarding the challenges impacting the ease of doing business in Agra.

Entrepreneurs highlighted the restrictions imposed under the Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ) regulations, stating that these limitations have significantly affected the establishment of new industries as well as the expansion of existing manufacturing units. They also raised concerns over procedural delays, compliance-related challenges, and unnecessary bottlenecks created by various government departments, including the GST administration, and urged the Minister to facilitate a more industry-friendly business environment.

Responding to the concerns, Shri Dharmveer Prajapati assured the industry that the Government of Uttar Pradesh remains fully committed to promoting industrial development across the state. He emphasized that under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, Agra is expected to witness improved infrastructure, enhanced logistics connectivity, and accelerated industrial growth.

The Minister invited industry representatives to present their concerns and proposals in Lucknow, assuring them that the government would take appropriate measures to address issues related to the proposed Leather Park and other industrial development initiatives.

The programme was inaugurated by Shri Rakesh Garg, Vice Chairman, Uttar Pradesh Small Industries Corporation; Dr. Ram Babu Harit, Chairman, Uttar Pradesh SC/ST Commission; Shri Puran Dawar, President, AFMEC; and Shri Gopal Gupta, Vice President, AFMEC.

Representatives from nearly 18 industrial and trade associations participated in the dialogue, offering valuable suggestions on industrial infrastructure, investment promotion, policy implementation, and improving the overall ease of doing business in Agra.

Guests were welcomed by Shri Ajay Sharma, General Secretary, CCLA, along with Shri Brajesh Sharma, Convenor, Corporate Council for Leadership & Awareness (CCLA).

Among those present were Sqn. Ldr. A.K. Singh, Suresh Chandra Garg, Vijay Nijhawan, Ajit Kalsi, Upendra Singh Lovely, Chandrashekhar (GPI), Jitendra Trilokani, Ram Mohan Kapoor, Dr. Abhilasha Prakash, CA Sharad Paliwal, Deepak Maheshwari, Rohit Jain, Mohit Jain, Anshul Agrawal, Neeraj Agrawal, Dr. Ashok Sharma, Vineet Bavania, Sachin Saraswat, along with a large number of industrialists and entrepreneurs.

The session concluded with a shared commitment to strengthening collaboration between the government and industry to create a more conducive business environment, attract greater investment, expand industrial activity, and generate employment opportunities in Agra.