GANGTOK, Feb 15, 2009 – With an aim to attracting more investment from the ASEAN countries to the North Eastern states, the Ministry of DoNER in association with the Indian Chamber of Commerce, Indian Diplomatic Mission in Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industries organised a three-day Summit at in Ho Chi Minh city in Vietnam which concluded yesterday.
Sikkim was represented by Agriculture Minister, Somnath Paudyal. Officials of DoNER Ministry said the event was organised in Vietnam so as to ensure maximum participation from the ASEAN countries.
They said all the Chief Ministers of the region were invited to the meet to showcase their States as attractive investment destination. The DoNER Ministry had earlier organised a North East India Trade and Investment Opportunities Week in Bangkok and a North East Investment Opportunity Day in New York.
The decision to hold an investment week in Vietnam came after envoys and representatives of over 10 ASEAN countries participated in the 4th North East Business Summit, which was held in Guwahati in September 2008. The Summit generated a high degree of investment interest in the region by the ASEAN countries and now we want to take it forward, officials said.
They said ASEAN countries as well as many European nations have also shown their interest in investing in the region. “We are also planning to take envoys of many European nations to the North East as they have also shown keen interest in investing in the region,” they said.
Officials said even envoys of some Arab countries have expressed interest in visiting the region to explore possibilities for investment.
The State delegations from the North East attended the Summit. They discussed trade and investment in agriculture, infrastructure, tourism and IT sectors with their Vietnamese counterparts at the event.
Sources from DoNER Ministry said more than 70 companies from different business sectors in North East had participated in the Summit.
In the inaugural session, the Secretary General of Indian Chamber of Commerce Dr Rajeev Singh delivered the welcome address. It was followed by a multimedia presentation on Opportunities Unlimited while introducing the North East.
Secretary of DoNER Jarnail Singh presented the keynote address. Tourism Minister of Meghalaya Conrad Sangma, Trade and Commerce Minister of Mizoram Lalrinliana Sailo will also addressed the gathering.
The inauguration of Exhibition of products of North East took place on the first day.
The Session on Tourism held on the second day was chaired by the Tourism Minister of Meghalaya. The Managing Director of Himalayan Holidays Tsering Wange made a presentation on tourism opportunities in North East.
In the valedictory session yesterday, the topic on – South east Regional Integration – Building International Partnerships was discussed by eminent leaders from the countries namely Singapore, Vietnam, India, Indonesia, Canada, Malaysia, Korea, Laos, Bangladesh and Cambodia.
It was followed by one-to-one meetings exclusively between Indian delegates and foreign delegates present in Vietnam so that the concrete business and investment deals can be generated in the near future.
Source: Assam Tribune
[...] Summit held in Vietnam to lure investments to NE Assam Tribune | February 16, 2009 The decision to hold an investment week in Vietnam came after envoys and representatives of over 10 ASEAN countries participated in the 4th North East Business Summit, Guwahati, September 2008. “The Summit generated a high degree of investment interest in the region by the ASEAN countries” officials said. Tourism identified as trade link between NE India and SE Asia The Sangai Express | February 18, 2009 “Tourism is the most effective way to increase the still negligible trade between India’s northeastern region and Vietnam” said Jarnail Singh, Secretary of the Ministry of Development of Northeastern Region (DoNER). Lack of “proper road connectivity” to Myanmar and the rest of Southeast Asia was presented as a key challenge to tourism and trade. Vietnam, Manipur sign MoU on cooperation The Sangai Express | February 18, 2009 The Government of Manipur has signed five separate Memoranda of Understanding with several Vietnamese companies in areas such as agro-food processing, toy making, cane and bamboo, etc. [...]
[...] Summit held in Vietnam to lure investments to NE Assam Tribune | February 16, 2009 The decision to hold an investment week in Vietnam came after envoys and representatives of over 10 ASEAN countries participated in the 4th North East Business Summit, Guwahati, September 2008. “The Summit generated a high degree of investment interest in the region by the ASEAN countries” officials said. Tourism identified as trade link between NE India and SE Asia The Sangai Express | February 18, 2009 “Tourism is the most effective way to increase the still negligible trade between India’s northeastern region and Vietnam” said Jarnail Singh, Secretary of the Ministry of Development of Northeastern Region (DoNER). Lack of “proper road connectivity” to Myanmar and the rest of Southeast Asia was presented as a key challenge to tourism and trade. Vietnam, Manipur sign MoU on cooperation The Sangai Express | February 18, 2009 The Government of Manipur has signed five separate Memoranda of Understanding with several Vietnamese companies in areas such as agro-food processing, toy making, cane and bamboo, etc. [...]