The Delhi government has announced its draft industrial policy for the period 2025-35. The plan includes significant measures aimed at boosting the capital’s economic landscape. Among the key proposals is a Rs 400-crore venture capital fund designed to support startups and drive innovation.
The policy also suggests a waiver of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) for newly established businesses over a certain period, making it economically feasible for entrepreneurs to set up operations in the city. Another notable feature of the policy is the introduction of reforms in the hotel industry. These reforms aim to streamline operations and facilitate easier licensing processes, which could potentially enhance Delhi’s hospitality sector and contribute to its goal of becoming a major hub for tourism and business travelers.
The policy draft, which has been years in the making, aims to make Delhi a more attractive destination for businesses and investors by addressing critical issues such as ease of doing business, infrastructure development, and job creation. Atul Mathur, Deputy Metro Editor at The Times of India, contributed to this report. Atul has over 26 years of experience in journalism and is renowned for his extensive coverage of governance, policy, and politics in Delhi.
His insights provide a well-rounded perspective on how these proposed measures might impact the city’s industrial growth over the next decade. The draft policy is currently open for public consultation and feedback before it is finalized and implemented. The Delhi Government will soon launch a digital single-window clearance system for granting permission for events, aimed at simplifying and speeding up the approval process for organizers, Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra announced Monday.
The initiative is part of a broader push to position the Capital as a global event hub under a public-private partnership (PPP) model. At a high-level roundtable meeting with officials from the Department of Tourism, Art, Culture and Language and leading event management firms, Mishra stated, “Delhi will be developed as a global event hub for live events, entertainment, and destination weddings.” He added that the government is working to introduce policy reforms for venue allocation and boost infrastructure to support the city’s events sector.
Draft policy boosts Delhi entrepreneurship
Among the proposals discussed was a roadmap to support the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector through marketing and financial support. Organizers also suggested that permission processes for events at heritage sites in Delhi be eased and GST relaxations offered to encourage destination weddings. “Delhi has 70 to 80 heritage monuments that can be effectively used for hosting cultural and private events,” said Mishra.
The roundtable, attended by senior officials and members of the Event and Entertainment Management Association (EEMA), also flagged challenges such as high venue rental rates and limited access to public spaces. In response, Mishra said the government would ensure a “transparent and fair” venue allocation system and that he would bring the concerns to the attention of Delhi Chief Minister. Officials from the Department of Art, Culture, and Language proposed listing government-sponsored events on commercial platforms, such as BookMyShow, to increase public engagement.
Stakeholders also called for the creation of an international-standard convention centre in Delhi and suggested repurposing vacant government land for event use. The Delhi government has unveiled its draft Industrial Policy for the decade 2025-35, with a strategic focus on promoting artificial intelligence (AI) and financial technology (fintech). The policy aims to establish the capital as a hub for frontier technologies by offering a range of financial incentives and infrastructural support.
Central to the policy is the establishment of a venture capital fund aimed at supporting startups and innovative enterprises in the AI and fintech sectors. Additionally, the policy includes provisions for capital investment reimbursement to encourage both domestic and foreign companies to invest in the region. The draft policy targets key areas such as research, innovation, and hospitality, with the broader goals of creating employment opportunities and attracting global businesses to Delhi.
As part of this initiative, the government plans to develop specialized IT parks equipped with the necessary infrastructure to support tech businesses. The proposed financial incentives and infrastructural developments are expected to not only spur technological advancements but also enhance Delhi’s economic landscape, making it a more attractive destination for global investors.