Haryana and Punjab together accounted for 57 per cent share of the investments in the north India announced by the private sector during the first six months of the calendar year 2008, according to an Assocham Investment Meter (AIM).

Haryana was the top investment destination in the northern region, as it attracted capex announcements worth Rs 50,917 crore out of the total Rs 1,23,905 crore investments lined up by the corporate sector during the period between January and June 2008.

Punjab was at the third position with Rs 19,418 crore of private sector line-up of funds. The Chandigarh region attracted Rs 667 crore mainly in hospitality (Rs 542 crore) and education (Rs 125 crore) segments.

“Owing to the development-oriented government policies, favourable business conditions and rising income levels of the middle class, Haryana and Punjab are the two states which enjoy maximum investor confidence in north India,” said D.S. Rawat, Secretary General, Assocham.

Haryana and Punjab are the most prosperous states in the northern region with their state domestic product growing at 9.6 per cent and 5.6 per cent, respectively, for the past four years.