Assam to be the business hub of South East Asia: Sonowal

Participating as the chief guest at the ConMac 2017, the biggest business exhibition of its kind in the entire North East in the construction equipment & machinery segment organised by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Sonowal said that an efficient transport communication system integrates remote, backward and urban areas and also plays a vital role in increasing productivity and improving quality of life and development of this sector has immense potential to generate large employment opportunities.

Reiterating that huge projects such as dredging of Brahmaputra River from Sadia to Dhubri and construction of express highways on both the northern and southern banks of Brahmaputra would require lots of machines and manpower, the Assam CM said that construction machine and equipment manufacturers must come with their latest technologies to participate in the infrastructure boom of the state and the region.
          
Stressing on the Central and State Government’s focus on developing transports like roads, railways, waterways and airways in the region Sonowal said that connectivity of the region would be improved at a rapid pace and Prime Minister Modi has already directed concerned Ministries for undertaking major projects to improve the railways and air connectivity in the Northeast.

Referring to improvement of shipping and waterways in the state for trade and business, Sonowal said the dredging of the Brahmaputra River would open up huge opportunities in shipping which would give a boost to business activities in the state.

Stating that the government has shown its commitment in developing business environment in the state and trying to make it one of the best investment destinations in the country by passing the ‘Ease of Doing Business’ bill in the very first session of the State Legislative Assembly and by planning to hold a Global Business Summit in the state to attract big ticket investments which would enable rapid growth of business in the state.

Saying that major players like Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali and Dabur have already set up manufacturing plants in the state Sonowal stated that conducive business environment has been facilitated for trade and industry to grow.

Making Assam an organic hub is the government’s primary agenda and steps have been initiated for this purpose, Sonowal added.

Abhijit Barooah, Co-Chairman CII Northeast Council, Arvind Garg Chairman ConMac 2017 were present among others on the occasion.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)