The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Himachal Pradesh, organized the CII Himachal Pradesh Economic Summit 2025 in Shimla under the theme “Rebuilding a Resilient Himachal Pradesh: From Recovery to Enduring Prosperity.” The summit brought together key policymakers, industry leaders, and stakeholders to deliberate on strategies aimed at fostering sustainable development, strengthening economic resilience, and unlocking long-term growth opportunities for the state.
Presiding over the summit, Minister for Industries, Labour and Employment, Harshwardhan Chauhan, reaffirmed the state government’s strong commitment to building a robust and investor-friendly industrial ecosystem. He highlighted the importance of proactive reforms and close collaboration between the government and industry bodies like CII in driving Himachal Pradesh’s economic transformation.
Despite fiscal constraints, the Minister acknowledged that the state is facing immense pressure to meet essential obligations such as salaries and liabilities, which limits the ability to fund key developmental initiatives. However, he emphasized that the government is actively streamlining administrative and operational processes to improve efficiency and ensure effective resource utilization.
Additional Chief Secretary R.D. Nazeem noted that Himachal Pradesh stands at a critical juncture with substantial economic potential. However, he pointed out that challenges such as infrastructure gaps and complex regulatory frameworks need to be addressed. He stressed that by promoting innovation and creating a collaborative ecosystem, the state can turn these challenges into opportunities and build a vibrant and inclusive economy.
Speaking on behalf of industry, CII Himachal Chairman Deepan Garg underscored the importance of resilient and ecological infrastructure that can withstand environmental and economic shocks. He advocated for the integration of green technologies and sustainable systems to support long-term, balanced growth while preserving the state’s unique natural heritage.
The summit also emphasized the urgent need to enhance infrastructure—including roads, railways, and air connectivity—as a key factor in attracting investment, promoting industrial expansion, and boosting tourism. Improved connectivity was highlighted as essential to positioning Himachal Pradesh as a premier investment destination.
Among other dignitaries present at the summit were Sanjay Suri, Vice Chairman, CII Himachal; Rajender Guleria, former Chairman, CII HP & Partner, Enviro Enterprises; Rajiv Aggarwal, former Chairman, CII HP & Executive Director, Him Teknoforge Ltd; Anoop, Director – Sales, SAP India; along with senior officials from the state government.
