‘Destination Bihar 2026’ expo starts to attract investments

Patna: Bihar Industries Association (BIA) on Thursday launched its eighth industrial expo in Patna to showcase local manufacturing capabilities and attract fresh investment to the state.The five-day event, titled Destination Bihar 2026, is being held at Gandhi Maidan under the theme “Now or Never”. Rural works minister Ashok Choudhary inaugurated the exhibition and said the govt is determined to establish Bihar as a recognised industrial state. “Our goal is to give Bihar’s products a strong national identity. The next 5 years will belong to Bihar and to its industries,” Choudhary said. He added that every department of the state govt is working with an industrial vision.The expo features participation from govt departments, including industry, tourism and agriculture, along with national banking institutions. BIA president Ram Lall Khetan said this edition is the largest so far, with the highest number of exhibitors. “If even 5 people get motivated to set up industries here, that will be very good for the state,” Khetan said. He added that increased industrialisation would generate employment and noted that 60 exhibits are dedicated to solar energy awareness.Pranay Raj, executive secretary of CREDAI Bihar, said the expo offers start-ups and businesses visibility and footfall. “Leads get generated for potential buyers and investors,” Raj said. He added that the event facilitates networking among investors and industry stakeholders.Manish Dudwewala, representing a Bihar-based solar energy company, said, “The expectation is to collaborate with bigger industries, where electricity is a bigger expense.”In the food processing sector, Nishi, a makhana brand owner from Hajipur, said, “People know makhana but do not know that makhana is from Bihar. People in Bihar are not fond of makhana, and we saw a potential market here.” She added that her four-month-old start-up aims to enter white labelling to expand its network.The exhibition will continue until March 2 and includes subsidised stalls for women and entrepreneurs from economically weaker sections.