Uttarakhand is one of the fastest growing states in India thanks to the massive growth in capital investment arising from conducive industrial policy and generous tax benefits. The state is situated in the foothills of Himalayas. The presence of several hill stations, wildlife parks, pilgrimage places and trekking routes make Uttarakhand an attractive tourist destination.

Uttarakhand is a well-renowned religious and wildlife tourism destination. The topography in Uttarakhand ranges from foothills and plains to higher snow-clad mountains, thus including almost all major climatic zones conducive to agro-horticulture.

In 2019, domestic tourist inflow in the state stood at 37.58 million, while foreign tourist visits crossed over 0.15 million. In 2018, 27.81 lakh pilgrims arrived in state for Chardham Yatra, out of which 7.32 lakh pilgrims visited Kedarnath.

At current prices, Uttarakhand’s GSDP is projected to be Rs. 2.76 trillion (US$ 33.61 billion) in FY23.

The main growth drivers in the economy have been identified as hill agriculture with emphasis on horticulture including aromatic and medicinal plants (promoted by AYUSH) and tourism to improve productivity and create sustainable livelihood, especially for people in the higher reaches of the state. In the State Budget 2021-22, schemes such as the National Horticulture Mission, Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture, Mission Apple and the Horticulture Insurance Scheme will be implemented to boost the horticulture sector.

The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector is cross-cutting across all other sectors, due to its employment generation potential, and is hence, extremely important in the growth strategy of the state.

Simultaneous efforts to develop two other sectors—renewable energy in the form of small hydro-power and expansion of IT to all parts of the state economy—will make the growth plan sustainable and strengthen its fundamentals. Uttarakhand as a state has great potential for the clean option of hydro-power and the smaller and environment-friendly hydel projects offer renewable sources of energy.

The IT sector has consolidated strengths in the state by digitising many public services, especially by provision through the Common Service Centres (CSCs) under the e-governance programme. It has also established convenient Wi-Fi services for promotion of tourism in the state and is expanding mobile & Internet connectivity throughout the state among its other achievements.

Some of the major initiatives taken by the government to promote Uttarakhand as an investment destination are:

• According to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), between October 2019-June 2022, FDI inflow in Uttarakhand stood at US$ 126.68 million. As of May 2020, 11 Industrial Entrepreneurs Memorandums (IEMs) worth Rs. 288 crore (US$ 39.10 million) have been filed in Uttarakhand.
• In FY2023 (until August 2022), the total exports from the state stood at US$ 696.28 million
• In the State Budget 2022-23,
  • Under the Suryodaya Rozgar Yojana Phase-II, 6,000 families will be provided with solar power plants with a capacity of three kilowatt.
  • Rs 902 crore (US$ 109.46 million) has been allocated towards Integrated development of small and medium towns.
  • Rs 3,515 crore (US$ 426.77 million) has been allocated to government secondary schools.
  • Rs. 769 crore (US$ 93.37 million) has been allocated to Urban Health Services.
  • The state government has approved the Cyber Crisis Management Plan and Critical Information Infrastructure Guideline in order to protect the electronic services provided to citizens.
• Production of loose flowers in the state stood at 3.02 thousand tonnes in 2021-22 as per first advance estimates.
• In 2022-23 (until August 2022), Dehradun airport handled 7,656 aircraft movements and 700,319 passengers.