In its report on 'Investment Prospects in Indian Economy in 2008-09', Assocham reveals that country's total planned investment was around Rs10,43,292 crore during April 2008 to March 2009 period. Out of this total investment, around 20% was proposed in Gujarat. “Gujarat has notched the top slot with investment proposals worth Rs2,07,660 crore. The planned investment in western region comprising Gujarat, Daman Diu, Maharashtra and Goa was Rs3,05,057 crore as against Rs2,29,740 crore in the southern region.The share of northern region was around Rs2,15,315 crore,” said DS Rawat, chamber's secretary general. In western region, Maharashtra, Daman Diu and Goa attracted proposed investment of Rs96,051 crore, Rs1,000 crore and Rs345 crore respectively in 2008- 09.

States in the western region have introduced investor friendly policies and they also have strategic locations with good connectivity to both national and international markets. This has led to higher investment proposals, says the report. The western part of India is emerging as major hubs for IT, manufacturing, financial services and education sectors, especially in cities such as Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Pune and Surat. However, in eastern region, corporate India's planned investments has remained limited to Rs.168,023 crore, while in case of the central India, the figure is Rs.95,012 crore.