CHANDIGARH: Haryana and Punjab together accounted for 57 percent share of the investments in the North India announced by the private sector during first six months of the 2008, according to an Assocham investment meter (IM).

Haryana was the top investment destination in the northern region, as it attracted the capex announcements worth Rs.50917 crore out of the total Rs.123,905 crore investments lined up by the corporate sector during the period January to June 2008, said Asscham release.

Punjab was at the third position with Rs.19418 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, favorable business conditions, 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 percent and 5.6 percent respectively, for the last four years.

Haryana is set to become a significant centre for services sector activity in the northern region as evident by the sectoral profile of the investments announced the investment of Rs.40,500 crore in housing projects,it said.