Bengaluru, Oct 28 (Reporter) Bihar is shedding outdated stereotypes and highlighting its economic progress at the its upcoming investors’ summit here, the state's Industries Director Alok Ranjan Ghosh said on mONDAY. Addressing the perception gap, Ghiosh said: "The negative image of Bihar seen in reels like Gangaajal and Mirzapur is not the reality." He emphasised the state's economic transformation, which now offers strong business opportunities and infrastructure. Ahead of the Bihar Business Connect 2024, state Industries Secretary Bandana Preyasi told UNI that Bihar’s growth trajectory includes a range of industrial areas, with land values spanning Rs 50 lakh to Rs 2.5 crores per acre, with the Patliputra Industrial Area set at Rs 10.894 per acre. Across the state, over 3,000 acres are available for investment, grouped into 75 industrial areas categorised into nine clusters based on connectivity, infrastructure, and accessibility, she said. Bata's longstanding operations in Bihar since 1942 underscore this industrial growth. Known for quality and resilience, Bata’s factory in Bihar is the second largest in India, a symbol of the state’s commitment to excellence in manufacturing, Preyasi said. Danish Prasad, Managing Director of Competent Exports Private Limited, shared his experience, saying his early business in the Russian market led him to recognise Bihar's potential. "The support from the Bihar Department of Industries was unparalleled, and the skilled workforce helped us gain recognition under the *Udyam Sitaray* programme," Prasad noted, adding that "Bihar is truly ready for business." The state enjoys a unique geographic advantage, close to major markets in eastern and northern India, as well as Nepal and Bhutan. With affordable land prices and a competitive labour market, Bihar provides a cost-effective environment for investors, Preyasi said. Bihar’s industrial assets include 75 well-connected zones, with high-calibre institutions like IIT, IIM, and NIT supplying a skilled workforce suited to the tech and services sectors, she said. Transport infrastructure also plays a role, with three primary airports in Patna, Gaya, and Darbhanga, plus nearby airports in Varanasi, Kushinagar, Deoghar, and Bagdogra within a 50 km radius, she said. The Bihar Business Connect 2024 seeks to attract diverse investors, leveraging Bihar’s business-friendly environment to secure its place as a competitive economic hub...////...