Govt hopeful of Rs 1,000 cr investment in NE by pvt sector

NEW DELHI: The Government today said it is hopeful of over Rs 1,000 crore investment proposals for the northeastern region with the private sector willing to invest in areas like infrastructure and hospitality.

"After the sixth summit on investment in the northeastern region, we are hopeful of investment proposals to the tune of Rs 1,060 crore...it is a good beginning," Minister of Development of Northeast Region ( DONER) B K Handique told reporters here.

He said private investors have shown interest in areas like infrastructure, hospitality, education and agro-based industries at recently held trade summit in Mumbai.

Referring to the security concerns expressed by investors, Handique said government has assured them of full security.

"There is a concern at the back of their mind on the political situation in the region. Acquiring land is also an area of concern. But it is not a big issue," he said.

He said there are plans to hold a border trade summit in Shillong between Meghalaya, Tripura and Bangladesh.

There have been proposals for joint ventures from the Bangladeshi side and transit rights but the government is yet to take a view.

He also said Bhutan's national carrier Druk Air is planning a flight between Paro and Guwahati and wants inclusion of Arunachal Pradesh in the flight route to attract tourists for the proposed Buddhist circuit in the region.

The minister said there were also plans to include mineral-based industries and mining as permanent chapters in the investment summit in the future.

There is a proposal from the private sector on setting up of a five-star hotel in Guwahati, he said.

Handique said the Nagaland government has also offered land in Dimapur for industrial projects.