Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal woos 200 local industrialists to invest

GUWAHATI: Starting the groundwork for the first Global Investors’ Summit to be held in Guwahati next year, Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal today held discussion with over 200 local industrialists here.

Assam has begun hectic preparations for the summit to be held on February 3 and 4, 2018. This summit is scheduled to be inaugurated by Prime minister Narendra Modi.

Sonowal said, "Industrialists here are the torch-bearers and ambassadors of the state."

He requested local industrialists to build bridges with foreign investors to shore up investment in the state.

State Industries and Commerce minister Chandra Mohan Patowary asked local industrialists to play the role of catalysts to stimulate investment in Assam and create a congenial atmosphere for investment.

Assam finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the state government was looking at giving more fiscal benefits to industrialists investing in Assam. "This will be over and above the Centre’s fiscal package," he said.

The fiscal package under North East Industrial and Investment Promotion Policy (NEIIPP) expired in March 31, 2017. The Centre has assured North eastern states that a new policy to this effect is being drafted.