Dehradun, Oct. 9 -- Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday said Uttarakhand is working to become an economically empowered state while retaining its identity as a spiritual hub, with industry, trade, investment and the youth playing a crucial role in the transformation. Addressing the 7th CII Uttarakhand Industrial Summit and Expo-2026 in Haridwar, Dhami said the city has emerged as an important centre of industrial development in addition to its spiritual significance. He said such events provide a common platform for industry, trade, investment and innovation and help give fresh momentum to economic growth. Dhami said, "Entrepreneurs, traders and investors were vital to the economic progress of any state, as industrial development creates employment, encourages technology and innovation and strengthens local economies". He said the state government wanted to create a safe, transparent and simplified ecosystem for industries, with the government acting as a collaborator and partner rather than merely as a regulator. He said continuous efforts were being made to "transform Uttarakhand into a developed, self-reliant and economically empowered state under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi". "Improved road, rail and air connectivity had created a favourable environment for industrial and commercial activities, while projects such as the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag rail line and Char Dham road project are strengthening logistics and connectivity", he said. According to Dhami, industry-friendly policies introduced by the state government had produced positive results. More than 29,000 new MSME units have been established in Uttarakhand over the past few years, providing employment to approximately 127,000 youths, he said. "The government has also implemented a Nivesh Mitra system to facilitate speedy resolution of issues faced by investors and entrepreneurs. As part of efforts to strengthen the single-window system, more than 206 services across 26 key departments are being made available online", he said. Dhami said startups and innovation were receiving special attention so young people could become job creators rather than merely job seekers. Along with implementation of the Uttarakhand Startup Policy, a venture fund of Rs.200 crore has been established to provide financial support to startups, he said. He also highlighted the Integrated Manufacturing Cluster being developed over approximately 1,002 acres at Khurpia in Udham Singh Nagar, saying the project would provide fresh momentum to industrial development and create new opportunities for investment and employment. Dhami said industrial development was not being restricted to the plains. "Special industrial parks are being developed in Chamoli, Pauri and Almora to promote small-scale industries. Flatted factories are being developed in Haridwar to provide modern facilities to small entrepreneurs, with similar facilities planned for Selaqui and Pantnagar", he said....