New Delhi, March 10 Delhi Home Minister Ashish Sood said on Tuesday that the city government is working on an incubation policy aimed at supporting around 5,000 startups by 2035, with a proposed investment of about Rs 325 crore over the next five years.
He stressed the need for stronger collaboration between the government and industry to boost economic growth.
Addressing the CII Delhi State Annual Session 2025-26 Business Conference organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry, Sood said that the Delhi government is committed to engaging with industry stakeholders and introducing policy reforms to support trade, employment generation, and economic growth.
Speaking at a session titled "Delhi 2047: Capital of Growth, Innovation, and Global Partnerships," the minister said that sustained government-industry dialogue is essential for creating future-ready policies and strengthening the participation of traders, entrepreneurs, and businesses in Delhi's economy.
Sood said that the business community in the city has raised concerns over trade growth, employment generation, and the contribution of businesses to the local economy, including issues related to infrastructure, policy frameworks, and land availability.
He said that the government is working towards creating a more enabling environment through deregulation and policy reforms to address these concerns.
Highlighting skill development initiatives, the minister said that the government is focusing on making education more industry-oriented by modernizing the curriculum of Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) to ensure that students acquire skills aligned with evolving industry requirements.
Sood also spoke about initiatives aimed at promoting entrepreneurship among youth, including the recently organised Startup Yuva Festival, where promising startup ideas were supported with financial assistance.
He said that the government is working on an incubation policy aimed at supporting around 5,000 startups by 2035, with a proposed investment of about Rs 325 crore over the next five years.
The government is considering measures to extend social security support to workers in the unorganized service sector, which may be included in upcoming policy initiatives, the minister said.
Sood further said that efforts are underway to improve the ease of doing business in Delhi through simplification of various approvals and licenses, including reforms related to fire NOC processes, labor regulations, and licensing requirements in the hospitality sector.
He acknowledged that land availability remains a structural challenge due to Delhi's limited geographical area and the presence of multiple governing agencies, but said that the government remains open to consultations with stakeholders on future development policies.
Highlighting long-term priorities, Sood said that technology-enabled education in government schools will play a key role in shaping Delhi's future. The government plans to equip classrooms with smart learning infrastructure, digital libraries, and ICT labs to benefit nearly 18 lakh students studying in government schools.
He emphasised that strong cooperation between the government, industry, and society would be crucial in transforming Delhi into a global center of growth, innovation, and opportunity.