North East promises peace for investors: PC

"Courtesy tireless efforts by the North East State Governments most of the militant groups have entered into peace talks and agreements of fruitful mutual coexistence reached, said Chidambaram.

"Businesses should as such be necessarily encouraged to invest in the North East," he pointed out.

While efforts at restoring peace are truly commendable, efforts have to be undertaken for creating an enabling policy environment for optimal resource utilization to generate the requisite investor attention in the region, he reiterated.

He said aggressive promotion of the bounteous opportunities both across different states of India and internationally is necessary to facilitate new investments in the state and for which education should be accorded topnotch priority.

"Amongst other lucrative opportunities a special mention must be mentioned about tourism," he stated.

Chidambaram said the region courtesy its mountainous landscape and pristine environment boasts of a huge opportunity in tourism, nothing much of which has yet been realized. Coal, Limestone and other mineral sources and Hydro power represent other sectors which offer bountiful opportunities. India has reached a new peak in its mutually cooperative bi-lateral relations with Bangladesh.

"Relations with Myanmar have also improved remarkably over the years. Through its cooperative and consultative engagements relations with other nations of East and South East have also been mutually developmental.

"It is high time to leverage on the cooperative relations to enhance cross border trade flows, a critical factor in ensuring a holistic development for the North East," he said.

Other eminent dignitaries gracing the Inaugural Session included Mr. Paban Singh Ghatowar, Hon'ble Union Minister, Ministry of DoNER, Dr. Mukul Sangma, Hon'ble CM, Meghalaya and Mr. Tarun Gogoi, Hon'ble CM, Assam.

While presenting his address, Tarun Gogoi, Chief Minister of Assam, mentioned that the state government has taken the lead in restoring peace in the region.

He said: "Committed initiatives have led to significant reduction in violence in the state so much so that land prices in the State in the past decade have gone through the roof."

He mentioned the importance of focused marketing of the North East to garner requisite investor interest. Agriculture, food processing, mining and minerals especially, tourism, cement and bamboo represent some of the sectors where Assam boasts promising opportunities.

In his presentation on Meghalaya, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said investors can really benefit from tourism as the State boasts one of the best hill stations in the world.

"Further more with the presence of a high literacy rate amongst its women the State has the potential to take a lead in the Nursing industry. Agro and Food Processing and Horticulture represent other critical areas where Meghalaya can provide lucrative opportunities for profitable investment," he said.

The state's environment is suitable for growing pineapples and oranges which is used for developing honey, popularly referred to as Orange Honey across the world, he said.