31. Setting up a factory in India -

Where to get Information?

Question: Hi there I was wondering if you had any information about setting up a social enterprise in India. I am considering setting up a business (factory) in a disadvantaged part of India. I would like the principle aim of this business to be about providing opportunities to local people may be struggling to support their families. I would like to employ disadvantaged women and in addition to their wages, I would like the business to provide funding for their children’s education. This will be a partly commercial initiative, as I am hoping that the finished items made in the factory can be sold in the West for profit. Most of this profit will be ploughed back into the organization in order to fulfill its aims. I noticed on your website that there are incentives for businesses hoping to set up in ‘backward areas’. This would be very beneficial for this organization. Do you know about any of the official procedures I would need to engage in to set up my proposed enterprise? It may be necessary that I set up the social enterprise in England under UK laws and set up an associate factory in India under IndiaR17;s tax laws. Answer: Your idea of setting up a factory in a disadvantaged part of India is very commendable. While the ultimate aim of most business ventures is profit, I find some compassion in the wording of your email. I sincerely hope you pursue your project and make a success of it. Every State Government in India offers advantages for setting up factories in their state. Selecting backward areas, has added financial advantages such as cheaper land or shed costs, tax holidays for a number of years, lower electricity charges, subsidized loan rates etc. As a start you can check out the Ministry of Commerce & Industry website. This websites is supposed to provide information to investors about investment policies and procedures in India. Press releases related to investment policies are also on this website. They also have a chat facility which you may want to try if you need additional information. However this website in my opinion is not laid out very well and it takes time going around trying to find information. If you have an idea which part of India you would like to setup in, then you should check out the State Government website as some states have slightly better laid out websites than the Ministry of Commerce and Industry website. Good luck with your venture.