Agar trade centre is a step towards making Assam self-reliant: Sarbananda Sonowal

GOLAGHAT: In a bid to promote the business potential of the farmers as well as entrepreneurs associated with agarwood plantation and trade in the State, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal laid the foundation stone of Assam Agar International Trade Centre, which is the first of its kind in the country at Dabidubi in Golaghat district on Wednesday.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Sonowal expressed his sense of gratitude to the people of the State for their cooperation that they have extended to the government and said that the Assam Agar International Trade Centre would be a step towards making a self reliant Assam. Reiterating the government's commitment to double the farmer's income in the State by 2022, Sonowal said that establishment of Agar International Trade Centre is one of the initiatives, which the State government promised since coming to power in 2016.

Giving a snapshot of the sequel of steps that the State government has been taking to bring about industrial development in the State, Sonowal said that immediately after coming to power his government organized Global Investors Summit to catapult the industrial growth of the State. He also said that the Investors Summit witnessed signing of as many as 240 MoUs with the commitment of 79 thousand crore investment in the State. He however announced that after the summit more than 40 thousand crore investment have already been grounded to unleash a remarkable industrial growth narrative of the State.

Chief Minister Sonowal also informed that to facilitate transformation of the State through transportation his government has taken several initiatives for the development of highways, railways, waterways, airways and I-ways. He said that a multi model logistics park, foundation of which was laid on Tuesday at Jogighopa in Bongaigaon district would expedite the all round development of the state and help the government in its bid to making the country as well as the state self reliant.

Highlighting a stark contrast of performance between the previous governments and the present government, Sonowal said that under the present BJP-led government in the State through its promise in making a State free from corruption, pollution, illegal migration and insurgency, government has achieved phenomenal success. He, therefore, thanked the people of the State in extending all cooperation for the government to work in accordance with its commitments. He also said that during the last four and half years rhino poaching in the State has almost come to a zero level and he attributed it to the setting up of fast track court for trying the crimes related to wild life poaching. He however said that the there is no scope of any complacence as the State government has already drawn its road map to work relentlessly to facilitate the welfare of all sections of the state. Chief Minister Sonowal at the same time announced that the government would name the Assam Agar International Trade Centre after the name of Swahid Kushal Konwar in a bid to pay its tribute to the martyr.

Industries and Commerce Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary while speaking on the occasion hailed Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal's initiative in bolstering industrial development in the State. He also said that there was a long felt need for an Agar Trade Centre in the State as the new trade centre would significantly help the farmers and entrepreneurs of Agar to sell their products. He also said that the industries and commerce department would ensure that the construction of the Agar Trade Centre could be completed within the stipulated time frame. Agriculture Minister Atul Bora and MLA Khumtai Mrinal Saikia also spoke on the occasion.

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Also Read: Assam: CM lays foundation stone of Agar International Trade Centre at Dabidubi