By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Feb 3: In a sharp pivot away from symbolic investment summits, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Tuesday claimed Meghalaya has vaulted from being a laggard to one of India’s top three states in deregulation, having scrapped over 400 “bottleneck” rules to clear the path for local MSMEs to hit global markets.
Speaking at the inaugural session of the two-day Reverse Buyer-Seller Meet (RBSM) 2026 at Pinewood Hotel, the chief minister emphasised that the state’s focus has shifted toward meaningful reforms rather than hollow agreements. The event, organised under the Central government’s RAMP scheme, acts as a direct matchmaking platform, connecting 300 local entrepreneurs with 28 international buyers from 16 countries.
“I often use the word ecosystem because I believe in it,” Sangma said, noting that the state has removed nearly 70 regulations in the labour department alone. “From being among the worst performers, we are now among the top three states in the country in terms of deregulation.”
Despite the optimistic ranking in ease of starting a business, the reality of “export preparedness” remains a challenge. While the Chief Minister touted the deregulation milestone, Neha Mehra of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) pointed out that Meghalaya currently sits at the 27th position in the national Export Preparedness Index. The gap highlights that while it is becoming easier to register a business in the state, the infrastructure to actually ship products globally is still catching up.
Addressing the habit of signing non-binding agreements, Sangma issued a stern warning to stakeholders. “Please do not sign any MoU if there is no real intent to move forward. We are here to work in a serious, definitive, and meaningful way. I would rather see real transactions than sign big MoUs that lead nowhere,” he said.
The chief minister cited the turnaround of the MEGALAMP programme, supported by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), as proof of long-term transformation. He recalled that in 2018, the project was nearly shut down due to poor performance but has recently been recognized in Rome as one of the best IFAD projects globally.
Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar noted that the meet has attracted buyers from countries including Australia, Russia, Canada, and several African nations. These buyers are scouting for niche products such as Lakadong turmeric, honey, black pottery, and traditional textiles.
Industries Commissioner and Secretary, Sanjay Goyal admitted that while MSMEs contribute 45 per cent of India’s exports, Meghalaya’s current contribution remains low. He stressed that the focus must now move toward improving quality standards and packaging to meet international expectations.
The event continues on Wednesday with structured B2B meetings, where local weavers and farmers will attempt to convert “potential interest” into the hard contracts the Chief Minister is demanding.
