GUWAHATI, April 7 - Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal today urged the investors to take advantage of Assam�s resurgent business environment.
Inaugurating the NSE Investor Fair 2018 here today, the Chief Minister said, �Assam has a unique advantage of being situated at a strategic geographical location making it an ideal destination for operating business in the entire Southeast Asian region. Our government is committed to encourage entrepreneurs for venturing out into this huge market of ASEAN countries and bringing economic transformation in this part of the country.�
The fair is organised by the National Stock Exchange (NSE).
According to an official press release here, the Chief Minister asserted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has put Assam and the North-east at the heart of his Act East Policy initiatives. This has resulted in rapid economic development of the region.
Moreover, he said �Advantage Assam: Global Investors Summit� has boosted the State�s image as a major investment destination at the world stage. Lots of investors have evinced keen interest in setting up their businesses here.
He expressed the hope that the NSE Investor Fair would also give exposure to the small medium enterprises (SMEs) in the State to gain insight about the capital market and provide them a roadmap to take confident steps towards growth.
He apprised that the State Government is striving towards creating a pool of skilled manpower which would open up avenues of employment and contribute substantially to the country�s skilled workforce.
Urging the investors to cash in on the business-friendly atmosphere of the State, Sonowal highlighted the major infrastructural transformation initiatives undertaken by the State Government.
The recent approval of the Union Government to North-east Industrial Development Scheme (NEIDS) 2017 would also provide a lot of incentives to the business houses for investing in the North-east region, he said.
MD and CEO of National Stock Exchange Vikram Limaye also spoke on the occasion and outlined the objectives of the Investor Fair to encourage the SMEs of the region to venture out and get listed in the National Stock Exchange for drawing funds from equity market to expand their business.
Limaye said �We are happy to be here today in Guwahati organising this Investor Fair aimed at educating the local SME companies about the benefits of listing on the exchange... Guwahati is among the fastest growing cities in East India and home to aspiring entrepreneurs. NSE Emerge platform provides an opportunity for these entrepreneurs to raise capital for their future growth.�
At the SME panel discussion, panelists explained the benefits of listing of SMEs on NSE Emerge. It was highlighted that Assam�s SMEs can get easier access to capital for their expansion and growth through listing.
The second session concentrated on the importance of financial education for students, careers in financial markets and courses of NSE Academy.
Chairman of Assam Chamber of Commerce Rupam Goswami also spoke in the programme.
