Guwahati: The curtain of 2-day Global Investors Summit drawsc to a close with signing of more than 200 MoUs and an investment of staggering rupees more than Rs 1,00,000 crore.
The valedictory function of the summit which was held at Sarusajai, Guwahati on Sunday evening vowed to take the collective approach with all the South East Asian nations to script a new era of economic resurgence in the region.
Speaking on the occasion, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal lauded the Team Assam spirit behind the phenomenal success of the summit and further urged the people of Assam to carry forward the momentum to reap dividends from the summit.
“We worked with the Team Assam spirit for holding the summit with inspiration of the Prime Minister and the people of the state. Presence and pro-active participation of the leaders of the industry across the spectrum raises high hopes amongst the people. Now the onus is on us to take forward the agreements to their logical conclusion and ushering in a dawn of industrialization in Assam. I urge the people to extend whole hearted support to the investors in the greater interest of the state,” Sonowal said.
The Assam CM urged the business community to be the trusted, committed and honest partner of the government.
“We have miles to go and I request the industry captains to forge stronger ties with us. Our relationship with you is not only a business relationship, it is more of a humanitarian relationship and I assure you to ensure full cooperation and support in all the initiatives. The summit is a way forward to strengthen the bilateral ties between Assam and other ASEAN and BBN countries,” Sonowal said.
He also expressed his gratitude to all sections of the people of Assam and outside as well all the stakeholders for their unconditional support in making the firstever Global Investors Summit tagline as ‘Advantage Assam’- India’s Expressway to ASEAN a grand success.
Union Minister for Electronics & IT Ravi Shankar Prasad while speaking on the occasion termed the summit asa manifestation of the Prime Minister’s vision of Team India and the transformation of North East into New Engine of Growth of the country.
“If Prime Minister Narendra Modi is termed as the captain of Team India, Chief Minister SarbanandaSonowal will be the undisputed choice for the slot of opening batsman,” Ravi Shankar Prasad said.
Emphasising the importance of geo-political location of the North Eastern states, the union minister reiterated centre’s commitment to strengthen NE’s position as the centre of India’s economic cooperation with ASEAN and BBN nations.
“Advantage Assam is not only for Assam and the north eastern states, it is a powerful message to the ASEAN and BBN nations of India’s keen interest to boost bilateral ties,” Ravi Shankar Prasad said.
Announcing a series of initiatives in the IT sector, the minister informed setting up five BPOs in different towns of Assam including Kokrajhar, Nagaon, Silchar, Majuli and Diphu. Another 1000 seater BPO would also come up in Guwahati apart from the already functioning three BPOs.
Stating that the union government is very keen to transform Assam and the NE as the Electronic Hub of the country, Ravi Shankar Prasad informed that the central government would extend all support in setting up of mobile manufacturing unit in the Electronic Cluster, which is to be operational under the Tech City, the foundation stone of which was laid today as an outcome of the summit. Besides, several new initiatives were also ceremonially launched by the union minister which include opening of National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI), Centre of Excellence for Applications Security at NIC and Master Service Agreement for setting up of new BPOs in Assam.
Speaking on the occasion, union minister of Tourism KJ Alphonse reiterated centre’s commitment to make Assam as the focal point of his ministryand said that a flurry of activities would be launched to explore the region’s selling proposition as the tourism hub of the country.
Union Minister of State for Railways RajenGohain, State Finance Minister Dr.HimantaBiswaSarma, Agriculture Minister Atul Bora, Rajyasabha MPs Subhas Chandra and BiswajitDaimary, HOUSEFED Chairman RanjeetDass, former union minister KabindraPurkayastha also spoke on the occasion. Earlier, state
Industries & Commerce Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary delivered the welcome address.
Council of Ministers of the state, several MPs, MLAs and a host of other dignitaries from all walks of life were also present on the occasion.
(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
