Huge untapped potential in North East: B K Handique
The North-Eastern region has huge untapped economic potential and the challenge is to convert possibilities into success stories, said B K Handique, Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) on Friday.
He was speaking at the Inaugural Session of the 6th North-East Business Summit in Mumbai on Froday.
The 2-day Summit has been organised jointly by the DoNER Ministry, and Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC).
Handique said that the North-East has huge opportunities in sectors like tourism, agro & food processing, organic farming, spices and more.
Adding that about two-third of India?s total bamboo reserves is in the region, the Minister also said that rare flora and fauna, medicinal plants and herbs create unique business opportunities for the corporate sector.
Transport projects can create stronger bridges of economic and trade cooperation between India and her Asian neighbours, with the North-east acting as the gateway, he said.
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said that the state offers great scope in sectors like agro & Food processing SEZs, tourism and hospitality and medicinal and Aromatic plants.
He said that the Nagaland government is committed to facilitate rapid and sustained industrial development in the state through enhanced investment, provision of infrastructure, and investor-friendly environment.
Deputy Chief Minister of Meghalaya B M Lanong said that Meghalaya has huge mineral reserves, and sectors like cement, power, coal etc. have high growth potential in the state.
IT & IT enabled services is another sector which can take the state to a higher growth trajectory, he commented, and said that NASSCOM has tied up with State government to build IT infrastructure in the state.
ICC Senior Vice President Shrivardhan Goenka 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 percent Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) opportunities on offer in power generation, roads, airports, horticulture and tourism.
