Northeast can link India with ASEAN countries:Assam Governor Prof. Jagdish Mukhi

GUWAHATI: Assam Governor Prof. Jagdish Mukhi said that given the geographical proximity of Assam and other NE States with South East Asia, the region can be increasingly used as a launch pad of the country’s growing economic ties with ASEAN and BBN countries.

Inaugurating a two-day Northeast MSME Start Up Expo and Summit “Advantage North East-Invest Assam” organized by MSME Development Forum at ITA Centre in the city on Monday, Prof. Mukhi said, “MSMEs are considered worldwide as prime movers of growth. The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector is a critical component of India’s growth story, making significant contributions to GDP, employment and exports. The total contribution of MSMEs to the GDP is around 38 per cent with around 95 per cent of all industrial units forming a part of this sector”.

“Generously endowed with vast stretches of fertile land, rich expanse of forests and substantial mineral and hydrocarbon deposits, India’s North East is potentially one of the richest geographical areas of the country. The potential of the MSME sector not only provides employment opportunities at a lower capital cost but also assist in the industrialization of rural and backward areas,” the Governor said.

The Governor also observed that acknowledged as the Gateway to South East Asian Countries, Guwahati occupies the centre for the success of the Government’s ‘Act East Policy’. He further said that the government has laid special emphasis on the development of MSMEs in Assam to bring in economic prosperity to the region and use their contribution to propel nation’s GDP. Prof. Mukhi also said that about 98 per cent of the region’s borders constitute India’s international boundaries; that the country shares with China, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Myanmar. Given its strategic location, the region can be developed as a base for India’s growing economic links not only with the ASEAN but also with neighbouring countries, namely Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal.

The Governor also said that the present Governments at the Centre and in the State have taken several steps to overcome infrastructural bottlenecks to encourage sustainable development in the State. The strong focus on roads, railways, airways and hydropower developments are some of the key steps in this direction. These initiatives will help the MSMEs not only in the smooth flow of the raw materials for the production purpose but also in taking the products to the consumer market, the Governor added.

Prof. Mukhi also said that MSME Start Up Expo will go a long way in building partnership and networking platform among different stake-holders, who want to engage in the growth of North Eastern region and explore its opportunities.

Chairman of MSME Development Forum Rajnish Goenka highlighted the objectives of the objectives of the event. This was stated in a press release.