FINER to spell out economic agenda for Dispur

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, June 6: The Federation of Industry and Commerce of North Eastern Region (FINER) is going to submit an economic agenda to the new government formed at Dispur with Sarbanda Sonowal as the Chief Minister.

Talking to newsmen in the city today, FINER chairman RS Joshi said that FINER is for inclusive growth. He said FINER looks forward to the formation of a Chief Minister’s high-powered economic advisory council comprising people of high calibre on the lines of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council so as to address the key economic issues pertaining to the State.

Joshi said FINER is very pleased to know that the Assam Assembly passed the ‘Assam Ease of Doing Business Bill, 2016’ in the recently concluded State Assembly. The single window agency, the first act to be passed by the New Government, sigls a new era for business in the State, he said, and added that besides attracting new investments to the State the single-window would facilitate entrepreneurs by provision of speedy processing of applications and issue of clearances without delay for the setting up industries in the State.

“Investment cycle, which has been hit hard by the slowdown in the economy, needs to be revived and impediments for the revival of economy should be removed,” Joshi said, and added the economic and infrastructure imbalance of the region need to be addressed in the right earnest.

Joshi further said that the suspension of the Northeast Industrial and Investment policy 2007 (NEIIPP 2007) should be lifted immediately with suitable extension so that the policy objectives are fulfilled in letter and spirit.

“Start up Assam is a campaign based on an action plan aimed at promoting fincing for start-up ventures to boost entrepreneurship and encourage start-ups with objective of augmenting jobs creation. A State-level campaign in lines of the campaign championed by Prime Minister rendra Modi to focus on getting rid of ‘license raj’, and hindrances like land permissions, environmental clearances, etc. The scheme may be extended as an initiative to promote entrepreneurship among the local communities, ST and women communities,” Joshi said.

The FINER chairman further said as Guwahati not only merits to be a Smart City but it also has potential to become the first Start-up City in the Northeast, State Government must take initiative which will open up immense opportunities.

He said that skill development is very important as educated people are not finding employment. This apart, he said, the Northeast lacks skilled people.

“Tapping of the power potential in the State is a must, and measures should be taken for availability of adequate, quality and affordable power in the State,” he added.

Joshi laid stress on work on the concept of ‘North East economic’ zone without interfering in the political and geographical setup of the North Eastern states. “All north-eastern states need to come under one economic zone by doing away with interl fiscal barriers and ensuring free flow of goods and services within the region. Assam needs to take the initiative in the matter for good of all,” he added.