Industry body CII has mooted the North Indian states being combined in to a common economic region to enable authorities to cooperate among themselves to attract investments, which have been bypassing the region.

The region contributes 28 per cent of India''s total GDP, has 30 per cent of the country''s population and has immense potential.

Deep Kapuria, CII''S newly elected chairman of the northern region said "A common national plan is required for Northern region to work actively on issues of power, connectivity (roads), infrastructure and human resources."

Kapuria said a well coordinated planning and development of a common agenda among the states would put the northern region on a new growth path and said that CII would work towards raising the level of efficiency of the people in the region.

"In the multi pronged approach, the four missions - innovation in manufacturing, knowledge and skills development, sustainable development and inclusive growth will provide the vehicles of delivery," he said.

He said the abolition of multiple tax structures; free movement of goods and sharing of best practices across various states would create new synergies across the region. CII has also launched a campaign on small and medium enterprises development to enhance their competitiveness, he added.

Recognising the crucial role of agriculture in the region''s economy, Kapuria said that the region had scope for developing agriculture and allied sectors.