Aizawl, May 31 (IANS) Mizoram Tuesday organised its first ever industry summit to harness the resources of the state in a bid to woo investors to set up projects in the industry-starved northeastern state.
Addressing the summit, state Industries Minister S. Hiato said, ‘Mizoram, one of the most peaceful states in northeastern India, is blessed with natural resources which are still under-utilised.’
He stressed the need to harness the industrial potential of the state for boosting the economy of the mountainous state.
‘Mizoram has an excellent climate for investment coupled with central government schemes for industrial promotion such as transport and capital subsidy, central excise and income tax exemption. Investors and industrial houses can take all those scopes and benefits,’ the minister stated.
Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), union Ministry of Development of Northeastern Region (DoNER) and the Mizoram government’s industries department jointly organised the one-day ‘Industries summit on investment opportunity in Mizoram.’
Around 30 industrialists, investors and influential functionaries of different companies across the country, whose interests ranged from power, cement, hotel and hospitality, education and skill development, agro and forest based and food processing sectors, took part in the summit.
Mizoram Parliamentary Secretary H. Zothangliana, chief Secretary Vanhela Pachuau and Industry Department Secretary R.L. Rinawma spoke about the different potential sectors that are available for investment in Mizoram.
Later, delegates from various business houses interacted with senior officials of various departments to discuss their potential plans and also seek clarification from the concerned departments.
According to an official document of the Mizoram government, the northeastern state has a potential to generate 3,500 MW hydel power from its rivers.
‘The state government is open to private companies for undertaking power projects in Mizoram and has drawn up a policy for private investment in the power sector,’ the official document said.
Cuuently, Mizoram has no major or medium-scale industry.
