Sonowal makes a strong pitch for investments

Focus on Tamil Film industry, sugar, chemical, FMCG companies based in Tamil du

GUWAHATI, Jan 8: Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal has made a strong pitch for investment in the State focusing on sugar, chemical, FMCG companies-based in Tamil du and also opening the gateway for Tamil Film Industry for shooting in Assam. Sonowal said this while addressing a road show ‘Advantage Assam: Global Investors' Summit 2018’ at a city hotel in Cheni on Monday. 

“The 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 that the Act East Policy has brought the Northeast from a corner to the centre of India's interaction with South East Asia.

Stating that the State 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-ebled services policy and a Biotechnology Policy, the Chief Minister urged the industry captains to take advantage of these opportunities. He also said 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 tiol and intertiol 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 Cheni.

Sonowal 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. The Chief Minister 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 filmmakers apart from picturesque locations.

Stating that the new connectivity network opened through dredging of the Barak and Brahmaputra rivers would facilitate vigation up to the Chittagong port, Sonowal said 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 fince showed keen interest in the potentialities of the state. The road show was followed by one-on-one meeting with Tamil du Producers Council and other top industry groups, including Murugappa Group, Indian Bank, Chettid 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. 

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. 

Minister IT and Water Resources Keshab Mahanta, Chief Secretary VK Pipersenia amd others were also present in the road show.