Manipur CM welcomes new northeast industrial policy

New Delhi April 10 Manipur Chief Minister O. Ibobi Singh said Tuesday that the new North East Industrial and Investment Policy (NEIIP) which came into effect March 31 will provide a fillip to investors looking for opportunities in the northeast.

'The North East Industrial and Investment Policy 2007 announced by the central government stands to provide a welcome fillip to the investors to play a major role not only in the manufacturing sector but also in the service, energy and technology sectors,' he said speaking at the Third North East Business Summit here.

'Tourism related infrastructure, medical and health services, bio-technology, and power generation have now been brought within the ambit of this policy.'

Highlighting the areas of potential investment in his state, the chief minister said infrastructure development was one.

'Agro and food processing is another potential area of investment,' he said, adding that a food park is coming up near Manipur's capital Imphal.

'We are making efforts to develop it into a mega food park,' Ibobi said.

He said bamboo also has potential for investment, adding that a bamboo technology park at Jiribam near Silchar in Assam is on the anvil.

'The future of Manipur lies also in tourism. Projects on various tourism circuits - eco, ethnic, adventure, wildlife have tremendous potential for investment.

On the Look East Policy, the chief minister said that, against the backdrop of the flourishing Indo-Myanmar trade through Moreh-Tamuh, the opening up of the Trans-Asian Highway has special relevance for the region.

'In this regard greater emphasis on strengthening the surface route via National Highway 39 up to Moreh in Manipur and beyond to Thailand via Myanmar is essential.'

(c) Indo-Asian News Service

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