GUWAHATI, Feb 25 � Assam has a lot of investment potential. Its tourism, agriculture, and particularly organic farming, sectors have better prospects for investment. Its construction and handicraft sectors, together with the bamboo-based enterprises, also have the potential to attract investors. But, what it needs to do today is project itself for the outside investors in the right perspective.
This was the observation made by European Union�s (EU�s) Ambassador to India Joao Cravinho, while speaking to this correspondent here today.
He maintained that because of the civil disturbances for a longer period, Assam was much neglected by the investors in the past. Now, its prospects are better. But it needs to project its image correctly for attracting investors. It must emphasise the point that its image of a disturbed area does not correspond to reality today.
Connectivity is also a problem for this region. Its connectivity to Myanmar may open up new horizons. The Look East Policy has been a disappointment for the past 20 years, as there was very little connectivity of the region to South East Asia.
The prospect of connectivity in the region is much better today, as finally some investments have been made in this area.
Assam also needs to do a lot more to improve its infrastructure. If some effective investments are made in this area, it will draw more investment, he said.
The EU Ambassador, who is on a three-day tour of the NE States since yesterday, said he had met Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi yesterday. The Chief Minister is very much keen on foreign direct investment (FDI) from the European countries.
Nagaland and Manipur have also shown interest in taking FDI support for developing their infrastructure. However, Assam has not made any specific request, he said.
On how they have been tackling the problem of migration from other parts of the globe, he said migration should be controlled through economic development of the source countries. For, the root cause of migration is under-development.
