NEW DELHI — Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate a two-day investors
summit on Friday that will showcase the investment potentials in the
northeastern states and opportunities to access the captive markets in the
region and the neighbouring countries.
The 'Rising Northeast Investors Summit', to be held here on
May 23 and 24, aims to attract investments to the Northeast and will see the
participation of chief ministers from northeastern states, Union ministers, top
bureaucrats, foreign diplomats and more than 2,000 delegates, policy-makers,
industry leaders and investors, among others, officials said.
They will participate in discussions across nine-plus
priority sectors such as agriculture, food processing, textiles, tourism, entertainment,
education, healthcare, IT and energy.
Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER),
Jyotiraditya Scindia, said the greatest potential for India in the future is
the northeastern region.
"The event will showcase our wonderful 'Ashta Lakshmi'
-- our eight states, which stand at the heart of the transformative growth that
our country represents," Scindia said.
The prime minister's resolve, commitment and vision aim to
ensure that the northeastern region becomes the pivot for the future growth and
the future path of India, as the country advances towards its goal of 'Viksit
Bharat' by 2047, he said.
"Northeast's cultural tapestry along with the reservoir
of natural resources and the strategic geographical positioning of the region
have translated it into the most powerful gateway to Southeast Asia,"
Scindia said.
The minister also said that last 10 years' committed
investment, the prime minister's resolve on infrastructure, healthcare and
education have set the platform for the rise of the Northeast into an economic
power, not just for India, but for the world.
The Northeast's geo-strategic advantage, abundant natural
resources, skilled workforce and access to captive markets in the neighbouring
countries will also be showcased at the summit, officials said.
The region is an emerging frontier for businesses and the
summit will offer an ideal platform for forging alliances, partnerships and
acquiring a clear vision of the opportunities available for expanding
businesses, making new investments, setting up green field manufacturing
projects and associated activities, an official in the DoNER ministry said.
The pre-summit activities organised by the ministry
attracted investment proposals worth more than Rs 1 lakh crore across all the
northeastern states, the officials said.
In the run-up to the summit, an Ambassadors' Meet was
organised here in coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs on April
15 to give exposure to foreign investors on the northeastern region.
Ambassadors and high commissioners of more than 75 countries
took part in the event.
Many industry houses and investors have already committed large
amount of investment interest, while more than Rs 1 lakh crore worth of MoUs
and letters of intent have already been signed, the officials said.
