Guwahati, Feb. 10: Meghalaya, which has always attracted tourists with its picture-postcard settings, is trying to draw foreign investors as well.
The government today tried to hardsell the state to foreign investors as an attractive investment and tourist destination.
As entrepreneurs from countries like Thailand, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh listened attentively, Meghalaya deputy chief minister Bindo Lanong highlighted investment opportunities in the state in sectors like agribusiness and mineral resources.
He was speaking at a seminar on Destination Meghalaya at the Maniram Dewan Trade Centre here. The meet was organised by the Industries and Trade Fair Association of Assam (ITFAA), Northeast, and the Meghalaya government for Meghalaya Day celebrations at the 17th International Guwahati Trade Fair.
“With surplus agro-horticulture produces and mineral resources, Meghalaya has enormous potential for investment,” Lanong said.
He said the Northeast could become an interface with Southeast Asia for India. He described it in the words of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who had said, “(The) Northeast can be the springboard for economic integration with Southeast Asia.”
“Meghalaya is one of the most bio-diverse regions comparable only to the richness of African Savannah. It has a wealth of fruits, vegetables, flowers and flora and fauna. With lofty mountains, lush green valley, dancing waterfalls, historical places and ruins of 4th century AD, Meghalaya is a tourists’ paradise.” He said the state produced unique indigenous fruits such as sohiong, sohshang and persimmon.
He said the state’s pleasant climate round the year made it a potential destination for IT and IT-enabled services. He said the government was taking steps to create a conducive environment for development of IT sector and a software technology park was operational in Shillong since 2007.
The director of the department of horticulture, Meghalaya, O. Rangad, said food processing industries based on agricultural and horticultural produce offered a significant potential for growth and development, considering the vast resource base of this industry.
The director of the department of commerce and industries, D.K. Areng, said the new industry and tourism policies of the state were in the draft stage and would be released shortly. The policies will be made available on the web.
The commercial counsellor of Royal Thai embassy, Tharadol Thongruang, said many Thai entrepreneurs were keen to develop trade ties with Meghalaya.
ITFAA vice-president Rajesh Das suggested that a combined tourism package could be developed by including tourist sites in Assam, Meghalaya and Thailand.
Guwahati, Feb. 10: Meghalaya, which has always attracted tourists with its picture-postcard settings, is trying to draw foreign investors as well.
The government today tried to hardsell the state to foreign investors as an attractive investment and tourist destination.
As entrepreneurs from countries like Thailand, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh listened attentively, Meghalaya deputy chief minister Bindo Lanong highlighted investment opportunities in the state in sectors like agribusiness and mineral resources.
He was speaking at a seminar on Destination Meghalaya at the Maniram Dewan Trade Centre here. The meet was organised by the Industries and Trade Fair Association of Assam (ITFAA), Northeast, and the Meghalaya government for Meghalaya Day celebrations at the 17th International Guwahati Trade Fair.
“With surplus agro-horticulture produces and mineral resources, Meghalaya has enormous potential for investment,” Lanong said.
He said the Northeast could become an interface with Southeast Asia for India. He described it in the words of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who had said, “(The) Northeast can be the springboard for economic integration with Southeast Asia.”
“Meghalaya is one of the most bio-diverse regions comparable only to the richness of African Savannah. It has a wealth of fruits, vegetables, flowers and flora and fauna. With lofty mountains, lush green valley, dancing waterfalls, historical places and ruins of 4th century AD, Meghalaya is a tourists’ paradise.” He said the state produced unique indigenous fruits such as sohiong, sohshang and persimmon.
He said the state’s pleasant climate round the year made it a potential destination for IT and IT-enabled services. He said the government was taking steps to create a conducive environment for development of IT sector and a software technology park was operational in Shillong since 2007.
The director of the department of horticulture, Meghalaya, O. Rangad, said food processing industries based on agricultural and horticultural produce offered a significant potential for growth and development, considering the vast resource base of this industry.
The director of the department of commerce and industries, D.K. Areng, said the new industry and tourism policies of the state were in the draft stage and would be released shortly. The policies will be made available on the web.
The commercial counsellor of Royal Thai embassy, Tharadol Thongruang, said many Thai entrepreneurs were keen to develop trade ties with Meghalaya.
ITFAA vice-president Rajesh Das suggested that a combined tourism package could be developed by including tourist sites in Assam, Meghalaya and Thailand.
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