6th North-East Business Summit begins

NE region can be international trade hub: DoNER Minister

Source:Sikkim Reporter

Gangtok: Union Minister for Development of North-East Region Mr. B. K. Handique, who is Chairman and Chief Guest of the Summit being held in Mumbai, in his address at the inaugural session Friday, January 21 said, “The North-East has huge opportunities in strategic sectors like Tourism, Agro & Food Processing, Organic Farming, spices etc”. He wooed the corporate sector to “create unique business opportunities” in the region, pointing out the region’s proximity to South & South-East Asian nations. For the advantageous location of the region, the Minister said, corporate sector “can turn it into an international trade hub”.
The Minister congratulated the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) for organizing the “unique and mega business event for the sixth time and said that the North-East Business Summits over the years have bee exclusive platforms for the policy makers and business leaders for exchange of ideas, collaborations and co-operation.
Highlighting the resources of North-East region the Minister mentioned “that about 2/3rds of India’s total bamboo reserves is in NER, adding that rare flora & fauna, medicinal plants & herbs etc. “create unique business opportunities for the corporate sector”.
At the inaugural session of the summit, ICC released 3 reports on “powering infrastructure growth in North-East, “Capacity Development & Skill Upgradation in NER”, and “Horticulture in North-East India. The reports are actionable “Agenda Papers”, says an ICC press release. Mr. Shrivardhan Goenka, Senior Vice President of ICC in his address said that “blessed with abundance of natural resources like bamboo, tea, rice and fruits, the North-Eastern states promise a paradise for the intrepid entrepreneur, with 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) opportunities on offer in power generation, roads, airports, horticulture and tourism”.
ICC North-East Excellence Awards were given at the inaugural session to achievers in varied fields from business to sports to journalism. Patricia Mukhim, Editor Shillong Times, was awarded for excellence in journalism.