GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister, Sarbananda Sonowal on Monday made a strong pitch for investments in the state during a road show organized at Chennai that focused on Tamil Film industry, sugar industry, chemicals, FMCG companies based in Tamil Nadu
He announced opening a gateway for Tamil Film Industry for shooting their films in Assam while addressing a roadshow of Advantage Assam: Global Investors’ Summit 2018 at a city hotel in Chennai.
“Assam Government is putting great emphasis on creating a business-friendly environment and bringing investments to the State. New policies, reforms, establishing new units of industry by famous brands have given new vibrancy to the industrial scene of the State”, Sonowal said adding the Act East Policy has brought North East from a corner to centre of India’s interaction with South East Asia.
Stating that Assam government has already announced a sugar policy and solar energy policy in Assam for the first time apart from a new start-up policy supporting the young entrepreneurs, IT and IT enabled services policy and a Biotechnology Policy, the Chief Minister urged the industry captains to take advantage of these opportunities. He also informed that skill development institutes and incubation centers are being set up with a focus to create a vibrant ecosystem in the State.
“In order to promote investment from national and international companies and giving entrepreneurs of the North East global exposure, Assam is organizing Advantage Assam: Global Investors’ Summit in February, 2018. The vision is to build an economic development model that links the North East India with Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and ASEAN”, Sonowal said extending an invitation to the top industry leaders in Chennai.
He also underlined the tourism potential of the state informing the participants about attractive tax incentives and capital subsidy announced by the state government for tourism units. He also highlighted pure air and biodiversity as the biggest assets of the state and its endeavours to make Assam as a global sports hub.
He invited the Tamil Film Industry to use the beautiful settings of Assam to shoot their films. He said that the State Government offers a very attractive set of incentives for film makers apart from picturesque locations.
Stating that the new connectivity network opened through dredging of the Barak and Brahmaputra Rivers would facilitate navigation upto the Chittagong port, Sonowal informed that investments in and development of port cities along the river have also been planned.
Participants at the roadshow representing a wide range of sectors such as manufacturing, auto and auto ancillaries, infrastructure, ports and maritime; and finance showed keen interest in the potentialities of the state.
The road show was followed by one on one meeting with Tamil Nadu Producers Council and other top industry groups including Murugappa Group, Indian Bank, Chettinad Group, Kothari Sugars & Chemicals Ltd., Cavin Care, ITC – Matches & Agarbatti Division, MRF Limited, Prognosys Medical Systems, Celebrity Fashion (Indian Terrain), KOG-KTV Health Food Pvt Ltd, Akashaya Homes, SRM University and Apollo Hospitals.
Assam Government has been making a major outreach effort in the run up to its maiden Global Investors’ Summit. The State Government along with Industry partner FICCI has already held roadshows across India and abroad, with a view to attract investments into the state. The state has built up a very credible case for investments based on the fundamental themes of Act East and India’s Expressway to ASEAN.
The Summit in February will cast the spotlight on the State’s capabilities and readiness to take on greater business challenges. It will guide the State towards wider avenues of business possibilities by implementing technology, policies, practices and strategic investments.
The focus of the Summit would be on emerging areas such as IT and ITes, Plastics and Petrochemicals, Pharmaceuticals and Medical Equipment, Power, Tourism Hospitality and Wellness, Healthcare, Skill Development, River Transport and Port Township, Road Infrastructure, Urban Infrastructure, Handloom, Textiles and Handicrafts, Education, Industrial Infrastructure, Agriculture and Food Processing including Organic Cultivation and Bamboo.