Aizawl, April 14 (IANS): The Mizoram government and the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) have signed an agreement to boost investment and develop tourism in the northeastern state, an official said here on Saturday.
"The Mizoram government and the MTDC have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance investment and develop the tourism in the state. The MoU was signed on Friday after a Business Summit and Road Show in Aizawl," a Mizoram tourism department official said.
An official release said that Mizoram Governor Lt. Gen. Nirbhay Sharma (retd), while addressing the summit, said that the tourism and agro-market potential of the state were worth exploring, for which more states like Maharashtra and corporate houses can help.
The Governor said that the best practices of cooperative societies in Maharashtra could be emulated to move away from subsistence farming to a more profitable commercial one.
"The Governor laid emphasis on roping in the film makers and producers to explore the pristine nature of the state and involvement of the community while also giving a cosmopolitan outlook to the state," the release said.
The Business Summit and Road Show, organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce, was a follow up to the Business Summit and Road Show - Mizoram Calling, organised by the Chamber in January in Mumbai.
Addressing the summit, Horticulture Minister P.C. Lalthanliana highlighted the USPs of several horticulture crops grown in the state which he termed as organic by default.
Development of forward-backward linkages, logistical improvements, food-processing and value addiction are the sectors which the minister considered needs investments.
Maharashtra Tourism Department Director Ashutosh Rathod, who is also the Joint Managing Director of MTDC, said that his government and other business bodies in Maharashtra are eager to form synergies with Mizoram.
"Mizoram is shaping up its policy to be in sync with the Act-East Policy," Rathod said, adding that special attention would be given to people from Mizoram for medical care under the government's medical tourism policy.
