New Delhi, April 23 (IANS) The Haryana government is moving rapidly towards establishing the state as a global hub for electronics system design and manufacturing (ESDM), IT, animation, visual effects, gaming, and comics sectors.

The government is formulating an industrial policy that will not only be highly attractive for investors but will also accelerate large-scale employment generation, innovation, and cutting-edge technological development.

Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, while interacting with industry leaders here on Thursday regarding the upcoming industrial policy, said that IT, animation, visual effects, gaming, comics, and ESDM sectors are emerging as key pillars of the national economy. Haryana, with its robust infrastructure, strong connectivity, and industry-friendly environment, holds immense potential to attract global investments.

Industries and Commerce Minister Rao Narbir Singh was also present at the meeting. He said that the government aims to position Haryana as a preferred destination for global companies, where leading domestic and international firms can invest.

The new industrial policy will offer special incentives, including capital subsidies, tax benefits, skill development support, and ease-of-doing-business provisions to ensure the smooth establishment and expansion of industries.

Industry representatives suggested identifying futuristic products and select companies to support them in becoming global players, which would also benefit associated MSMEs. They further emphasised promoting research and development for startups and establishing centres of excellence to boost innovation.

To address export-related challenges, representatives recommended setting up global warehouses abroad to facilitate product storage for companies. Several firms also expressed interest in adopting ITIs to ensure the availability of a skilled workforce tailored to industry needs.

Sandeep Arora from Microsoft discussed promoting artificial intelligence (AI)-based education in schools, ITIs, and other educational institutions to equip the youth with future-ready skills. Under this initiative, students will be trained in AI, machine learning, and data analytics from an early stage, enabling them to compete globally.

The government will also provide policy support and incentives to promote research and development activities and foster innovation. The government is also working on a dedicated policy for the animation, visual effects, gaming, and comics (AVGC-XR) sector to provide a structured growth platform for this emerging creative and technology-driven industry.

During the meeting, FICCI AVGC-XR Forum Chairman Ashish Kulkarni and others suggested strengthening the e-sports ecosystem to create new opportunities for youth and enhance the state’s competitive edge. They also recommended promoting incubators and centres of excellence to nurture innovation, startups, and talent in the AVGC-XR sector.

–IANS

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