HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, April 27: The first roundtable of the Northeast Global Investment Summit was organized in Guwahati on April 27. The interactive roundtable presided by the Ministry of Development of Northeast Region (MDoNER) and the State Government of Assam saw encouraging participation from startups, local businesses, national industry leaders, investment advisors, and industry experts. Officials from administrative departments of the Government of Assam, the Bhutan Chamber of Commerce, Industrial organizations, and Industry associations were also present at the conference.
The roundtable discussed the measures undertaken by the State Government of Assam where salient features of the industrial and investment policy of Assam were further highlighted. Besides a significant improvement in basic facilities, investors were also encouraged by the addition of several industrial parks and SEZs (Special Economic Zones). Notably, this is the first time that an investment summit organized jointly by eight North Eastern states and the union government has been organized.
Lok Ranjan, Secretary, Ministry of Development of North East Region, presiding over the roundtable said, “This roundtable has initiated goodness not just for the state of Assam but all North Eastern states. The investor summit is expected to be organized in September and will be a major milestone. Roundtables like the ones organized in Assam today will enable the collaboration of investors, policy-makers, and thought leaders. At the Assam roundtable today, we saw an exchange of ideas and thoughts, and information about the on-ground execution of a shared vision. The Northeast Global Investors Summit intends to highlight the Northeast region’s enormous potential and draw in investments from around the globe to support its economic development.”
Dr. Ashishkumar Bhutani, Addl Chief Secretary, Government of Assam, added, “I want to emphasize the importance of being sensitive and taking a broad perspective when considering a private investment or potential investors and the approach required for this has to be honored within the Government system. I would like to thank the Government of India for the Investor Roundtable Initiative which discussed several investor-friendly projects across several sectors. North East’s proximity to ASEAN and other countries coupled with the renewed focus has turned this zone into an engine of growth. States like Assam have capitalized on the thrust enabled by DoNER. This is a great time for investors and enablers to collaborate and succeed.”
