Seminar on Development of Manufacturing and Services Sector in the North Eastern Region




Gangtok September 9: Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Mr. B.K Handique attended a day long seminar on “Development of Manufacturing and Services Sector in the North Eastern Region” was organized by the North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Limited (NEDFi) and sponsored by the Ministry of DoNER at a local hotel here in the capital.



During his inaugural address the Chief Guest Minister Mr. Handique stated that Sikkim is a unique State in the nation with its tranquil and peaceful environment and with its development which is on over drive. He also assured all possible help from his Ministry to Sikkim especially in the sector of Floriculture, Horticulture and Tourism. The Minister also felt the need of much bigger numbers of NEDFi in the state to attract the younger generations towards establishing small scale industries. Small scale industries is something which can really flourish in the region, he informed



Further he informed that with better connectivity Centre want to put Sikkim in the forefront in tourism sector not only in the region but also in the country.



Information Technology has a great future in the North Easter region he added and also advocated about promoting it aggressively in the region. Mr. Handique also assured to give all possible help to the state and also incorporate the road map which the Chief Minister has made to take Sikkim into the path of development.



On the other hand Guest of Honour for the inaugural secession, Chief Minister, Mr. Pawan Chamling, in his address, expressed his hope to get all the possible help and support from the Ministry to have an overall development in the region and also informed that the peaceful and tranquil environment which has been prevailing in the State with his government’s good governance was the reflection of the total commitment of Sikkim towards the nation.



Mr. Chamling also informed about how the State has been able to come a long way in the field of energy and power generation and also about the head way Sikkim has made in various other fields. The Chief Minister drew the attention of the Union Minister for about having Central Public Sector Undertaking in the State.



The inaugural secession also saw disbursement of loans to small entrepreneurs from Sikkim from the Chief Guest and the Chief Minister.



The function was also addressed by the Joint Secretary DoNER, Mr. J.P Sharma, who gave opening remarks on the seminar.



In the afternoon secession of the seminar various presentations were made on Industrial Scenario & Opportunities in NER by NEDFi, Banking issues in the NER by Reserve Bank of India , Sikkim Entrepreneurs Association, which was followed by interactive secession between the officials and the stake holders.



The inaugural secession was attended by the Minister for Commerce & Industries, Government of Sikkim, Ms Neeru Sewa, Depurty Chairman, State Planning Commission, Mr. S.M Limboo, Chief Secretary, Mr. T.T Dorji, Development Commissioner cum Addl Chief Secretary Mr. Karma Gayatso, Commissioner cum Secretary Industries along with host of other dignitaries.



Earlier Minister DoNER Mr. B.K Handique called on the Chief Minister Mr. Pawan Chamling at his official residence Mintokgang. During the meeting, Mr. Handique expressed utmost satisfaction on how Sikkim has made tremendous progress in various sectors and also appreciated the city of Gangtok and commented it as one of the cleanest cities he has ever seen. The Union Minister also felt need of having intra air connectivity in the North Eastern Region in order to develop the region as the potential tourist destination while assuring to help to improve border trade in the region.



The Chief Minister, on other hand, expressed his hope to get full support and cooperation from his Ministry in order to usher Sikkim into the horizon of development, and also felt need to revise the current list of border trade goods in order to get the border trade into over drive.



Development Commissioner cum Addl. Chief Secretary, Mr. Karma Gyatso was also present during meeting

source;IPR-sikkim