Guwahati, Jan 6: The ninth edition of the North East Festival, which gets underway here from Friday, will highlight the tourism prospects of the Northeast besides projecting the region as an ideal destination for investments and start-ups.
The three-day festival being organised at Radisson Blu hotel in the city with limited human presence and amid strict COVID protocols, will permit entry to fully-vaccinated visitors only.
Assam Governor Jagadish Mukhi will inaugurate the festival in the presence of state industries and commerce minister, Chandra Mohan Patowary on Friday evening.
“We will be strictly following all COVID protocols, including wearing masks, sanitisation and physical distancing. Volunteers will be deputed to ensure the compliance of COVID appropriate behaviour at the venue. The visitors have to show their double vaccination certificate to enter into the festival,” Shyamkanu Mahanta, the organiser of the festival, said.
The festival, being held in the city for the second successive time, will be broadcast across the world through digital platforms.
“All artistes and management teams at the festival will be fully vaccinated. This time, we have an interesting array of discussions and sessions on pertinent issues of the North-eastern states. The festival also aims to celebrate the cultural diversity and ethnicity of the region in a grander way,” Mahanta said.
The festival endeavours to promote and highlight the trade and tourism potential of the region.
“In sync with the objectives, an exciting presentation of the culture and products of the Northeastern region will be showcased. Seminars, tourism B2B (business to business) meet, exhibitions of handloom and handicraft products, organic agri-horti products, food and cuisine, start-up culture, tourism attractions will be on display,” a statement issued here on Thursday said.
Under the chairmanship of Union tourism, culture and DoNER minister, G Kishan Reddy, a “Make in North-East – DoNER Dialogue” will be organised with a series of discussions to highlight Northeast as an ideal destination for investments and start-ups.
Experienced investors will talk about their experience in potential investments in the session.
“Top entrepreneurs of the Northeast will also be present at the start-up meet. Discussions on start-ups and a start-up exhibition will be organised. There will an exhibition of MSME products as well,” the statement said.
The event will also feature a Brahmaputra River Conclave on Sunday to facilitate river transport in the North-East. Shipping companies and various stakeholders will be present at the conclave.
The conclave will be chaired by Union minister of ports, shipping and waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal.
The event will also showcase the heritage-rich “bhaona” of Majuli with a presentation of the colourful tribal riverine culture of the region.
