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Madhya Pradesh, the second largest Indian State covering 9.5% of the country's area is endowed with rich natural resources, salubrious climate and fertile agro-climatic conditions. The economy of the state is largely agrarian, employing 77% of the total work force and contributing 40% to the State Domestic Product. Continuous efforts have been made towards industrialization of the state. The industrial sector contributes only 8% to employment of the state work force and 23% to state GDP. The rate of annual Industrial growth in the recent past has varied from 4% to 6%. In the short to medium term, the state needs to concentrate on industrial development as a source for value generation along with agriculture, before services can start playing a pre-dominant role in the State's Economy.

1) Strategic location : The central hub - Without access, there can be no activity. And if there’s one state that’s right in the middle of all the actions, it is Madhya Pradesh. Located in the very heart of India, the state is surrounded by all sides by five major states. It is like a hub, set right in the center of the nations commercial activity. To go places you need roads and railway tracks. Every important railway track and highway passes through Madhya Pradesh. The state has about 70,000 Kms. of roads, over 6000 Kms of railway lines, four airports and 25 airstrips with regular air services to airports including private airline operations. The state is located within easy distance of all the major cities and lies in close proximity to most markets. The State houses 1800 companies and 19 industrial growth centers (located across 7250 Hects.) that are close to major cities to make good social infrastructure accessible to industrial units. Despite all this, the rate of prime land in the State is still among the lowest in the country.

2) Connectivity - Madhya Pradesh is striving to be at the fore front of the IT Revolution, to this end it has set up 20000 Kms. of optical fibre backbone to cover its 313 development blocks across 45 districts, the highest coverage of optical fibre cable in the country and growing. It has established international gateway hubs at Bhopal and Indore. It is the only State in India to have four basic telecom providers including three in the private sector. It has also the unique distinction of all exchanges being digital. Today Madhya Pradesh Agency for Promotion of Information Technology (MAPIT) has emerged as a nodal point for IT growth and policy. To help sustain its technological edge, the State has invested in IT education. Providing learning ground for future IT professionals by establishing the first Indian Institute of IT and Management (IIITM). The State has also opened up private participation for computer education in schools and colleges. The retention cost of manpower is amongst the lowest here.

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