Private sector to define the future course of North East’s infrastructural development: Montek Singh Ahluwalia

NE BUSINESS SUMMIT CONCLUDES
GANGTOK, 09 Jan: Addressing the Valedictory Session of the 7th North East Business Summit organized by Indian Chamber of Commerce on 07 January in New Delhi as the chief guest, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia underlined the critical importance that infrastructure and connectivity holds for the future development of the North East, according to an ICC release. For this purpose, greater private sector intervention in the form of innovative PPP models need to be devised, he stated.

Commenting on the prospects of the Tourism Industry in the North East, Dr. Ahluwalia said that North East as whole can be better marketed than individual states to the domestic and international tourist community.
With respect to Hydro Power, he urged for the formation of close working groups between Industry and the respective State Government to analyze the progress of the projects and identify the associated problems for fast-track implementation.
Commenting on Skill Development he opined that while the region boasts of a comparatively higher literacy rate private intervention is necessary to generate the requisite employable skills, a critical requirement for the North East’s industrial development.
In conclusion, Dr Ahluwalia, reiterated that contrary to the popular perception tireless efforts on part of the State Government’s have brought in the much needed peace in the region to give investors the necessary encouragement to enter the North East.
Congratulating ICC for successfully organizing the North East Business Summit for the 7th time in his address as the Summit Chairman, Union Minister Of DONER and Mines, Paban Singh Ghatowar said “courtesy the relentless efforts undertaken in projecting the North East’s investment potential, Rs 12,000 crore worth of Investments have been realized in the region till date; truly a remarkable achievement”, the release further mentions.
Echoing similar views Dy. CM, Meghalaya, BM Langong emphasized the State Governments to take up the onus in solving the problems related to insurgencies in the region.
The panelists at the Session also included ICC office bearers MK Saharia and Srivardhan Goenka. Thanking the participating partners for making the Summit a grand success Mr Saharia mentioned that the Conference could generate interest in project proposals amounting to Rs 2751.25 crore, the release adds.
In the earlier sessions important discussions on Border Trade and Agro and Food Processing were undertaken.