GUWAHATI, Oct 13: “When we organised Advantage Assam: Global Investors’ Summit in February, many people cast aspersions about its feasibility and rationale. But the success of summit has proved them wrong as many investors and big industrial players have come to the state for setting up their businesses as a result of the summit and now the state is witnessing an economic resurgence.” Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said on Saturday while inaugurating a new production line in the parenteral block of Sun Pharma’s manufacturing facility at Palashbari on the city outskirts.
Notably, Sun Pharma has invested Rs 120 crore to set up this production line which is speculated to boost the company’s capacity to manufacture liquid vials, injectables, eye drops, tablets etc. The company has already invested Rs 700 crore in this manufacturing facility in the state and another Rs 200 crore is going to be invested. The company is providing employment to 595 people and 62 percent of this workforce is from the state.
Saying that Sun Pharma is one of the companies which committed investment in the state during Advantage Assam summit, Sonowal thanked Sun Pharma for fulfilling the commitment by opening this new production line which would generate employment. He also said that Rs 79,000 crore investment committed during the summit is being realised as companies are setting up their bases here which is creating employment opportunities for the youth of the state.
Highlighting that the state government is making all efforts to provide a conducive environment to the investors to facilitate industrial growth, the chief minister said that Act East Policy has given impetus to the trade and business in the state and through this policy the state would become the gateway and the business hub of South East Asia. He urged the global investors to take advantage of these changing times and set up their businesses in Assam so that they can take advantage of the state’s growth and prosperity.
Managing Director of Sun Pharma Dilip Shanghvi thanked the state government for support and cooperation in setting up this plant and said that this plant is expected to become one of the largest facilities of the company to manufacture sterile products. He also highlighted different CSR activities of the company including a Mobile Medical Unit (MMU) service, which is going to be started by the company, in the Palashbari area.
Industry and Commerce Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary, Media and Legal Advisers to the Chief Minister Hrishikesh Goswami and Shantanu Bharali, Palashbari MLA Pranab Kalita, Additional Chief Secretary of Industry and Commerce Ravi Capoor were also present at the programme among others.