NITI Aayog CEO BVR Subrahmanyam emphasizes Centre-State coordination to boost India’s global investment appeal. In a high-level workshop on ease of doing business, key reforms like decriminalization, single-window systems, and investment promotion were discussed to enhance India’s investment climate and streamline compliance across states.
Highlighting the pivotal role of state-level governance in shaping India’s investment climate, BVR Subrahmanyam, CEO of NITI Aayog, on Thursday called for coordinated efforts between the Centre and the states to transform India into the world’s most attractive and reliable investment destination.
Speaking at a high-level workshop on “Ease of Doing Business and Investment Promotion,” Subrahmanyam stressed that successful models already exist across Indian states and urged stakeholders to learn from domestic best practices. The workshop, held in New Delhi, brought together top policymakers, administrators, and industry experts to identify and implement strategic reforms to facilitate business and attract global capital.
Subrahmanyam emphasised the urgent need to streamline systems, increase accountability, and create a cohesive national investment strategy that incorporates both central and state-level actions. He noted that “India’s diversity is its strength,” and called upon states to align their reforms with the national Business Reform Action Plan (BRAP) to ensure measurable progress.
The workshop featured discussions across seven key reform areas crucial to business facilitation at the sub-national level:
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Decriminalisation of Laws
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Deregulation and Compliance Burden Reduction
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Business Reform Action Plan (BRAP) Implementation
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Development of Industrial Infrastructure
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Single Window Clearance Systems
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Financial and Taxation Reforms
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Investment Promotion Strategies
Decriminalisation and Compliance Reform
During this session, several states presented initiatives rooted in the Jan Vishwas Act 1.0, aimed at decriminalising minor business-related offences. These efforts include converting imprisonment clauses into civil penalties, promoting self-certification processes, eliminating licence renewal requirements, and reducing the number of regulatory touchpoints.
States also emphasised improving the “Speed of Doing Business,” highlighting that faster procedures would result in a more seamless operational experience for enterprises. Such reforms, they said, are vital for reducing compliance burdens and building trust with investors and entrepreneurs.
Industry representatives echoed this sentiment and advocated for a national legislation to harmonise decriminalisation and compounding provisions across states. They also proposed the creation of a Trusted Taxpayers Programme to incentivize timely tax compliance, further enhancing India’s regulatory framework.
Investment Promotion as a Continuous Function
Another important session focused on transforming investment promotion into a continuous and institutionalised function at the state level, rather than treating it as an event-based activity. States shared innovative strategies that leverage local strengths and global market trends, targeting high-potential sectors like electronics, semiconductors, green energy, and digital infrastructure.
Institutional and Municipal Reforms
Rajiv Gauba, Member of NITI Aayog, pointed out that “Ease of Doing Business is a work in progress” and highlighted the importance of municipal-level reforms within states. He advocated for deeper collaboration between NITI Aayog and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) to guide states in adopting principle-based approaches to reforms, particularly in the area of decriminalisation.
SCL Das, Secretary of the Ministry of MSME, underlined the necessity of strengthening institutional mechanisms to bridge gaps between MSMEs, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), and State/UT governments. He said a robust interface would foster better coordination and responsiveness to the needs of small businesses.
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The workshop concluded with a strong consensus on the need for tighter Centre-State coordination, harmonised reform measures, and sustained dialogue with industry to improve India’s investment environment. The focus now shifts to implementation, with the Centre and states working jointly to deliver on reform promises and attract long-term global investments.
As the world looks for stable, fast-growing, and trustworthy economies, India’s ability to deliver a unified and investor-friendly environment may well define its position in the global investment landscape.
