How Can Strong Centre-State Partnerships and Upskilling Drive Manufacturing Excellence?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Collaboration between State and Centre is vital for manufacturing growth.
- Industry 4.0 skills are necessary for a competitive workforce.
- Policy reforms can unlock industrial potential.
- Private sector investment is crucial for infrastructure development.
- Technology adoption is essential for enhancing productivity.
New Delhi, Sep 3 (NationPress) To achieve India's ambition of a 25% GDP contribution from manufacturing, robust collaboration between the State and Centre, effective policies, and skills in Industry 4.0 are essential, stated Rajeev Singh Thakur, Additional Secretary at NITI Aayog.
During the CII Manufacturing Conclave 2025, Thakur highlighted the importance of utilizing initiatives like the Jan Vishwas Act to enhance regulatory simplicity. He emphasized that land reforms aimed at easing acquisition and utilization will unleash industrial potential, while acquiring Industry 4.0 skills is crucial for a workforce capable of producing competitively priced goods for global markets.
According to him, southern and western states are currently leading in business friendliness, with northern and eastern regions showing improvement.
Thakur mentioned the government's commitment to aggressively simplify rules, procedures, and guidelines to foster a more business-friendly environment.
He urged the private sector to increase its capacity and investments, noting that public investments in infrastructure—such as roads, highways, ports, and airports—are creating ample opportunities.
The Manufacturing Sectoral Snapshot Report unveiled at the conclave provided insights into six critical sectors: Industrial Automation & AI, Footwear, Smart & Green Tyres, Plastics, Foundry, and Hands & Power Tools.
To fulfill the Vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, India must focus on adopting technology, integrating Industry 4.0 solutions like automation, IoT, and AI, to boost productivity and quality in these sectors, as per the report.
The report also suggested policy reforms, including the rationalization of import duties, promotion of domestic raw material production, and streamlining logistics under initiatives like PM GatiShakti, to tackle structural challenges.
R Mukundan, President Designate of CII and Managing Director & CEO of Tata Chemicals Ltd., remarked, "The economic viability of R&D depends on aligning research outputs with global market needs. By incorporating intellectual property (IP) development within a strong commercialization strategy, Indian companies can craft products that stand out in global markets."
India's Manufacturing Vision 2030 aspires to position the nation as a global manufacturing hub, with key sectors playing crucial roles in creating jobs, boosting exports, and transitioning from low-cost production to innovation-led, sustainable manufacturing.