The Department of Industries, Government of Bihar, headquartered in Patna, serves as the principal body responsible for promoting industrial development, investment facilitation, and entrepreneurship in the state of Bihar, India. Operating under the aegis of the Government of Bihar, the department plays a strategic role in transforming Bihar’s economy through the establishment of industrial infrastructure, policy implementation, MSME support, and attracting domestic and foreign investments.
Department Overview
The Department of Industries functions as a key policymaker and facilitator, enabling a business-friendly environment through industrial policy formulation, investor support, and infrastructural development. Under the leadership of Smt. Bandana Preyashi, I.A.S., the Principal Secretary, the department coordinates with various government and private stakeholders to drive sustainable and inclusive industrial growth in Bihar.
Core Functions and Objectives
- Formulation of Industrial Policies: Drafting and implementing progressive policies that create a conducive environment for investment and industrialization.
- Promotion of MSMEs: Supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises through schemes, subsidies, and infrastructure.
- Investor Facilitation: Acting as a single-window clearance agency for investors and entrepreneurs.
- Skill Development and Employment Generation: Encouraging entrepreneurship and skill-based employment through cluster development and capacity-building initiatives.
- Infrastructure Development: Establishment of industrial parks, clusters, food parks, and logistic hubs across Bihar.
Policy Initiatives and Schemes
The department has rolled out several key policies and incentives, including:
- Bihar Industrial Investment Promotion Policy (BIIPP) 2016
- Bihar Textile & Leather Policy
- Startup Bihar Policy
- Cluster Development Programmes in agro-based industries, leather, handicrafts, and textiles
- Bihar Export Promotion Policy to improve logistics and trade facilitation
These initiatives are designed to catalyze growth in sectors such as food processing, agro-industry, handloom & handicrafts, leather, renewable energy, and electronics.
Infrastructure and Industrial Hubs
The department has developed and supported:
- Bihar Industrial Area Development Authority (BIADA): A nodal agency that manages industrial land allotment and infrastructure across designated areas.
- Mega Food Parks in districts like Muzaffarpur and Begusarai.
- Plastic Parks, Leather Clusters, and IT Parks under various central and state-backed programs.
- Integrated Infrastructure Development Centres (IIDCs) for balanced regional development.
More than 70 industrial areas across the state are actively managed under BIADA, with ongoing expansion in connectivity, utilities, and logistics.
Investment Facilitation and Ease of Doing Business
As part of Bihar’s investment promotion strategy:
- Online Single Window Portal (SWP) provides seamless approvals, clearances, and tracking for investors.
- Ranked under India's Ease of Doing Business Index, Bihar has improved its position through procedural simplifications and digitization of services.
- Dedicated Investor Helpdesk and Grievance Redressal Systems to assist businesses.
The department has hosted multiple Investors’ Summits, including the Bihar Global Investors’ Summit, engaging stakeholders across agro-processing, infrastructure, and manufacturing sectors.
Target Sectors and Opportunities
Bihar’s Department of Industries has identified the following as high-potential sectors:
- Agro and Food Processing
- Textile and Apparel
- Leather and Footwear
- IT/ITES and Electronics
- Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals
- Tourism and Hospitality
- Renewable Energy and Green Technology
Bihar’s unique location as a gateway to Nepal and Eastern India, along with its rich agri-resource base, makes it an attractive investment destination.
Achievements and Impact
- Over 1,200 MSMEs registered under Udyam with state-level facilitation in FY 2022–23
- Disbursal of crores in investment subsidies and interest subsidies under BIIPP 2016
- Operationalization of multiple Common Facility Centres (CFCs) in key industrial clusters
- Recognized as one of India’s emerging startup ecosystems under the Startup India program
- Promotion of rural industrialization and women-led enterprises under cluster-based development models
Digital Presence and Public Engagement
- Official Website: state.bihar.gov.in/industries
- Information on ongoing projects, policy documents, notifications, and tenders
- Stakeholder engagement via public consultations and workshops
Leadership and Governance
- Principal Secretary: Smt. Bandana Preyashi, I.A.S.
- Works in collaboration with other departments including Industries, Finance, Rural Development, and Central Ministries
- Regular coordination with industry bodies such as CII, FICCI, and ASSOCHAM
The Department of Industries, Government of Bihar, continues to steer the state's industrial transformation by fostering innovation, enabling entrepreneurship, and attracting sustainable investments. With a focus on inclusivity and regionally balanced growth, the department plays a crucial role in realizing Bihar’s economic aspirations on both national and global platforms.
