Concerned over weaknesses in manufacturing sector, the Planning Commission on Thursday pitched for further liberalisation of FDI policy and improvement of business regulations to step up GDP growth rate to 9—9.5 per cent in the 12th Plan from 8.2 per cent in the current plan.

“Tune up FDI and trade policies to attract quality investment in critical areas”, the Commission said in a presentation before Prime Minister, Mr Manmohan Singh, at the meeting of the full Plan panel here.

Regretting that manufacturing performance has remained “weak”, the Commission said that India needs to target a growth of 11—12 per cent in this sector in the 12th Plan (2012—17).

“(Manufacturing) need a growth of 11—12 per cent per year to create necessary jobs”, it said, adding greater value addition and better use of technology was essential to promote growth and improve trade balance.

Noting that land and infrastructure constraints were major problems, the Commission called for setting up of National Manufacturing Investment Zones and better business regulatory framework to ensure broader spread of industrial base.

“Exclusive manufacturing zones, more liberal foreign direct investment and trade policies together with a better regulatory frame work are among the prescription,” it said, suggesting measures for reviving the slowing down in the manufacturing sector.

During the presentation, Deputy Chairman, Mr Montek Singh Ahluwalia, cautioned manufacturing was not promising desirable outcome and it can have cascading affect unless new initiatives are taken to catalyse this sector.

Regarding regulations, the presentation stressed on the need for improving business regulatory framework to ensure improvement in ‘cost of doing businesses’ and issues related to transparency.

“It is generally felt that more transparency is needed and industry needs regulations for shedding fears of uncertainty and political manipulations,” it said.

The Plan panel said that the country’s economic growth during the current Plan period (2007—12) is likely to average 8.2 per cent. This is lower than the original target of 9 per cent growth set for the 11th Plan.

However, the Planning Commission termed the 8.2 per cent growth as “still remarkable” in view of the global economic downturn during the period.

The Plan panel highlighted the fact that despite efforts the UPA Government has not been able to introduce FDI in multi brand trade because of opposition from some sectors.

“It is generally felt that liberal FDI would not only check over profiteering but also regulate labour force engaged in the sector,” it said.

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