North East emerges as a potential investment destination for local, foreign entrepreneurs

ANI Guwahati, February 6 The north east region of India is gradually emerging as a major commercial hub. Trade and commerce fairs are being held regularly in different states and are attracting participation from neighbouring countries, besides giving a platform to local entrepreneurs. The government is also taking several steps to give an impetus to trade and business activities in the region. A steady decline in insurgency has also given a boost to trade and commerce activities in the region. Recently, several medium, micro and small industries from the north eastern region as well as from other states and neighbouring countries have come together to showcase their products at the ongoing 22nd Guwahati International Trade Fair. The fair organised by the Industries and Trade Fair Association of Assam in association with the National Small Industries Corporation Limited (NSIC), was inaugurated by Union Cabinet Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Kalraj Mishra in the presence of several dignitaries, including the Bangladesh high commissioner. “We are giving special focus on the north east zone. The Prime Minister has been trying to work keeping in mind the Northeast region. We want more small industries to come up through MSMEs, PMEGP and keeping the raw materials available here in mind. We are making schemes for skill development and employment generation for youth,” said Mishra. “We have got participants from many other states and foreign countries like Bangladesh, Japan, Thailand and Pakistan. Rajasthan is our state partner. We are showcasing the products of those who have set up MSMEs after taking training at the NSIC.Lots of people, even those from outside the state come here and there is a lot of buyer-seller interaction,” said Bikas Adhikary, an NSIC official. The Union Minister attended the inaugural session of the Northeast MSME Conclave at the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship and highlighted the various initiatives undertaken by the centre for promoting entrepreneurship in the MSME sector in the region. He also inaugurated a business incubation centre on readymade garments and handloom for the north eastern region in Guwahati, where he promoted the Make in India scheme and focused on skill development. “There were only two incubation centers in the Northeast region. We have decided to increase it to 15 and I have inaugurated one here. This will give a boost to entrepreneurship and provide employment to many people. We are working in this direction. We are also working towards removing the procedural difficulties involved with setting up MSMEs,” said Kalraj Mishra.