[Assam] Assam shining, investors told ( The Telegraph, Tuesday, September16, 2008)

[Buljit Buragohain]

Assam shining, investors told

A STAFF REPORTER





 

Participants in the North East Business Summit. Picture by Eastern Projections
Guwahati, Sept. 15: Assam today led the Northeast in wooing investment from within and outside the region, with the state describing itself as an “unexplored paradise” with “unlimited opportunities”.
 
Assam industries and power minister Pradyut Bordoloi addressed the gathering on the first day of the 4th North East Business Summit at the Sarusajai sports complex. He wooed the gathering — comprising investors, foreign delegates, ministers and ambassadors of several countries — by asserting that the state was poised for its much-awaited take-off.
 
“Everything is looking up for the state. We are pursuing peace through development. The law and order problem is a myth now. That Assam was poised for a take-off is proved by the fact that there has been 60 per cent rise in consumption of cement and steel in the state. Our government, led by chief minister Tarun Gogoi, is committed to development and has the necessary political will to take the growth story forward. Assam is an unexplored paradise with unlimited opportunities for investors,” Bordoloi said.
 
Armed with a power-point presentation, Bordoloi projected Guwahati as the centrepoint of development activities in the Northeast. 
 
“Southeast Asia starts from the Northeast. If we take Guwahati as the centrepoint in a 2000-km radius, several South Asian countries almost fall within it, including Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and China,” Bordoloi said, identifying sectors such as education, transport, horticulture, IT, IT-enabled services, sericulture and food processing as sectors in need of investment.
 
Praising DoNER minister Mani Shankar Aiyar, Bordoloi said he had helped hardsell the state. 
 
“We don’t have to do much now, given the DoNER minister’s efforts. Our problems, concerns and hopes are more or less similar. Speakers from other states have already articulated their concerns and it is now for you all (investors) to contribute your mite. We need your support,” Bordoloi said. 
 
 
The industry minister added that Assam would be having a knowledge city spread over an area of 2500 acres near the capital city that will be housing technical institutions besides a world class university. Bordoloi further revealed that two five-star category hotels were coming up in Guwahati, aimed at catering to travelling businessmen who complained about lack of such hotels in the city.
 


( The Telegraph,Tuesday,September16,2008)


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