Conrad sees potential of BPO sector in NE

SHILLONG: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, in an e-symposium organised by IIM Shillong on Friday, said that the BPO sector has great potential in the North East while maintaining that the lack of infrastructure is a challenge for the entrepreneurs.
Speaking about the Economic Taskforce of the state, which is led by him, the chief minister said that it was constituted to bring out the opportunities that will ripe due to the COVID-19 situation and give the state ways to adapt to it and take the advantage.
The Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Centre for Policy Research & Analysis, IIM Shillong, hosted an e-symposium on BPO sector in the North East.
Addressing the e-symposium as chief guest, Conrad said that despite the situation, the institute’s initiative in organising this e-symposium is “very positive.”
The chief minister also spoke about the full-fledged IT Park in the state on an earmarked land of around 70 acres.
He expressed hope that the infrastructure, with more than 3,000 seats, would be ready for use by the end of the financial year.
He also shared about his interactions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the concept of sister state relationship and partnership, an idea which, the chief minister strongly felt, could bring about paradigm change if a bigger state could work in tandem with a smaller state on areas of strength and mutual benefit.
He turned to the talks between Meghalaya and Telangana governments to work on such grounds of relation, especially in areas of IT capacity.
Meanwhile, Sanjay Dhotre, Minister of State for HRD, Communication, Electronics & IT, said that the hardworking nature of the people of North East, coupled with high rate of literacy and excellent soft skills have made its people to be much in demand in all metros of the country.
Dhotre also highlighted various developments throughout the country that have so far been achieved under the Digital India campaign.
In this regard, Dhotre said that the campaign is for creation of a government system that is simplified, accessible, affordable, equitable, inclusive, and where a common man can connect easily with technology.