Guwahati, March 1: Assam industries and commerce minister Chandra Mohan Patowary on Tuesday called upon industrialists to invest in the state by availing the opportunities offered by policies and schemes of the industries department.
Addressing the 5th edition of ASSOCHAM’s ‘Emerging North-East’ conference at the Maniram Dewan Trade Centre here, Patowary also asked banks to extend support in financing the entrepreneurs in the micro and small enterprises.
Assuring full support and cooperation to all industrialists for setting up establishments in the state, the minister further urged industrialists to set up electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing units and avail the benefits of the state’s EV policy, which he said would accelerate economic growth and generate employment.
“Assam has enjoyed a rich historical status of being an industrious state by dint of its tea, oil and coal industry. It also used to have a multi-modal connectivity network. But the post-Independence situation resulting in Partition disrupted the vibrant trade routes,” Patowary said.
Thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his thrust and initiative in positioning Assam as the gateway to ASEAN, he said, “Assam is now seen as the ideal staging point for doing business with the ASEAN and Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar”.
The minister stated that development in infrastructure and connectivity sectors was a must for industrial growth of a region.
In this context, he referred to the new terminal at LGBI Airport here, the Multi Modal Logistic Park at Jogighopa and other initiatives of the government for development of railways and waterways to make Assam the preferred destination for businessmen and investors.
Patowary also inaugurated an exhibition and interacted with industrialists present in the programme.