Patna, Aug. 8: Bihar would host the India International SugarCon 2011. The two-day event would kick off in the state capital on September 12.

Being organised by Indian Chamber of Commerce with the state government’s support, the event aims to promote private investment in the sugar industry in the state. “Agriculture sector is one of the core strengths of Bihar. We are organising this event in Patna keeping in mind the potential of the state to become one of the major hubs of agriculture-based industry in the country,” an office-bearer of Indian Chamber of Commerce, preferring anonymity, told The Telegraph over phone from Calcutta.

Sugarcane industry department principal secretary C.K. Mishra said: “We would use the event to showcase the state’s potential for those looking to invest in this sector.”

Mishra said Bihar would enlighten the participants about the steps being taken to increase the quality and the quantity of sugarcane production in the state as well as the special incentives the state was willing to offer to private investors through its policies.

The principal secretary said Bihar would try to use the event to gain information about the latest techniques being used by other states in sugarcane farming. A session of the event would be dedicated for this purpose. Farmers and experts from the participating states would take part in this session.

Indian Chamber of Commerce has extended invitation to Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh for taking part in the conference. Maharashtra has confirmed its participation in the event being organised in Bihar for the first time.

“We expect confirmation from the other states after August 15,” the Indian Chamber of Commerce official said, adding that Indian Chamber of Commerce would collect information about the closed sugar factories the state government was trying to revive through private investment.

“Detailed information about these closed sugar factories would be sent to the investors of the participating states so that they have a fair idea about the investment opportunities before coming to Bihar for taking part in the event,” he said.

The factories the Indian Chamber of Commerce official talked about belong to Bihar State Sugar Corporation (BSSC). Total 15 factories belong to the BSSC. Of them, six sugar factories — at Lauria, Sugauli, Bihta, Motipur, Raiyyam and Sakri — have been taken over by private investors. Out of these six factories, production has started in Lauria and Sugauli sugar factories while renovation work is on in the remaining four factories.

The state government invited bids thrice for the remaining nine factories at Guraru, Warsaliganj, Goraul, New Siwan, Siwan, Hathua, Samastipur, Banmankhi and Lohat, but could not find bidders for them. Plans are afoot to invite fresh bids for the closed factories of BSSC.

“We are going to project these factories among prospective investors during the event as those bidding for these would not have to bother for things like land and other facilities,” said the Indian Chamber of Commerce office-bearer.