A high-level delegation of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) will be exploring investment opportunities in Bihar even as a World Bank team is here to discuss rural development.

Official sources said CII officials were coming here from Kolkata to discuss different aspects of development with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

"The CII has shown keen interest to help Bihar after the new state government led by Nitish Kumar took office last month. They will study the development issues of the state," a senior government official told here Monday.

The World Bank has already announced it will invest Rs.3.5 billion in Bihar for rural development projects after its country director Michael Carter Sunday evening met Nitish Kumar.

The team arrived here early Sunday.

The government has promised to formulate a new industrial policy and open new units to create job opportunities. With this in view, he will attend the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas meet in Hyderabad early next month.

The government has also announced it will go for private investment in power, tourism, IT and revive sick industries.

The Bihar Industries Association (BIA) has prepared an "agenda for development of the state" and handed it to Nitish Kumar. BIA president K.P.S. Keshri said around 80 percent of the industrial units in Bihar were sick.