Policy think-tank Niti Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India)’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Amitabh Kant has said that state governments should compete over facilitating and developing MSMEs in their regions, as this plays a significant role in driving the growth of the nation’s economy.

The CEO was speaking at the Chief Secretaries’ Conclave 2017 – ‘Making New India by 2022: Role of States’ organised by PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry in New Delhi.

“Government led ease of doing business and MSME registration in various sectors has pushed the economic growth of the states. The state government’s initiative to give topmost priority and thrust for facilitating and coordinating the growth and development of the MSMEs helps in creating business opportunities. As most of the action is in the states, it is important that the states compete with each other and further drive growth across the nation,” said Kant.

For India to have a higher rate, we need 10-12 Champion States – @amitabhk87 at Chief Secretaries Conclave. pic.twitter.com/ltdOMZOH2c

— PHD Chamber (@phdchamber) September 16, 2017

Highlighting the vital role played by Chief Secretaries in giving the required push to states as well as the nation as a whole, he said, “Unless we have champions in every state, India cannot progress. Hence, the role of the chief secretaries of the state is very important to drive mission, policies and add to the wholesome growth of the nation.”

Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (IC), Ministry of DoNER was also present at the conclave where he observed that despite pro-active policies framed by the Centre on both social and economic front for improving ease of doing business, most of the states and Union Territories have failed to march on it as per its aspirations. He asked the top bureaucracy present on the occasion to take note of it and be instrumental in bringing about transformational changes in ease of doing business in their respective states.