AMN / GUWAHATI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that North-East region is at the heart of Act East policy of the Government. Mr. Modi said, the Act East Policy, which was created by the NDA Government, requires increased people to people contact, trade ties and other relations with countries on India’s east.
Inaugurating the Global Investors’ Summit ‘Advantage Assam’ in Guwahati on Saturday, Mr. Modi said, India’s growth story will get speed only when there is all-round development of North-East and its people.
The Prime Minister said, Government is restructuring the National Bamboo Mission with an amount of Rs. 1300 crore. This will benefit the people of North-East, especially farmers of the region.
Referring to the recent India -ASEAN commemorative summit held in Delhi, Prime Minister applauded the initiatives of Bangladesh and Bhutan for opening their consulates in Guwahati. He said, India has become most preferred investment destination in the world.
The Prime Minister said, the highest 60 billion US dollars FDI came to India in 2016-17. Mr Modi said, the first global investors summit is a new beginning and hoped that it would open a new chapter in boosting the relations with the ASEAN and BBN nations.
Mr. Modi said, his Government has changed the working style of governance. He said, Government wants all programmes to be completed ahead of target as it is committed to bring qualitative change in the lives of common people.
Pointing to initiatives announced in the Budget on health insurance and free cooking gas connection for the poor and transparency in tax regime, he said, all the schemes of the Union government are oriented towards bringing about a qualitative change in the lives of the people.
On the first day of the summit, many Industry leaders have announced proposals of investment in Assam. The first day of the summit saw 160 MoUs worth 60,000 crore rupees signed in the presence of Chief Minister of Assam Sarbananda Sonowal.
Bhutan’s Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay, several union ministers, Chief Ministers of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur and Ambassadors of 16 countries and some leading businessmen participated in the inaugural function.
During the two-day event, manifold arrangements have been made to showcase Assam’s manufacturing opportunities and geo-strategic advantages to foreign and domestic investors. The objective of the Summit is to position Assam as India’s Expressway to ASEAN countries.