Patna, Oct. 28: The state government is set to organise a global meet of people of Bihar origin in February next year to associate them with the development process in the state.

The meet of non-resident Biharis, however, might not translate into a deluge of industrial investments for Bihar. Industrialists of the state are worried that the meet would not attract investments. They claim that neither has the government set the stage for investments nor is the event meant for the purpose.

Sources said the Bihar Foundation — set up by the state government in July 2007 to provide a platform to allow non-resident Biharis to associate with the development of the state — would organise the meet from February 17 to 19 in Patna.

The foundation had organised a similar meet from January 19 to 21, 2007, to showcase the changing face of the state to entrepre- neurs and industrialists and invite investments.

Industrialists and experts, however, are of the opinion that unless the state government can create infrastructure, it will be difficult to attract investment.

They were, however, quick to add that if the state could showcase a positive image, investments could be forthcoming.

Satyajit Singh, former head of Confederation of Indian Industry, Bihar, said such a meet would not be able to attract investment. “It is not organised to attract money, and the state government is not ready with its policies.”

He added: “About 90 per cent people come to see the change which Bihar has witnessed in the past few years. This creates a perception about the state among the potential investors. But even the meet which was organised five years ago was not able to attract investments.”

Asked why the state could not attract investments during earlier the meet, he said: “Getting investment is not a short affair. Everything, like land, power and incentive for setting up industries, can’t be addressed in a brief meet. It is impossible for someone to make a proposal to invest in a particular area and have all the necessary requirements cleared in the same venue.”

Bihar Industries Association president and industrialist KPS Keshri said: “I don’t think the meet is intended to attract investments. Rather it is a networking exercise for people of Bihar living outside Bihar. It is only a matter of chance if they propose an investment at the meet.”

Patna University economics professor N.K. Choudhary claimed that the meet might not even be able to recover its budget — Rs 2.81 crore.

He added: “I wish the state government and the event all the best. However, I don’t think the meet will be able to attract any investment. ”

None of the organisers was, however, available for comment.