GUWAHATI, Sept 6 - Industries and Commerce Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary today interacted with all the general managers (GMs) of District Industries and Commerce Centres at Udyog Bhawan at Bamunimaidam.
The Minister called upon the GMs to explore their districts to find out about the availability of raw materials and viable potential areas of investment and send proposals to the Commissionerate of Industries and Commerce. He instructed that these proposals must be in sync with the raw material availability and industrial viability.
Stating that Assam has huge potential in food processing, Patowary cited examples of banana at Rongjuli, Goalpara; value addition of ginger and citrus fruits at Haflong, Dima Hasao; japi, bamboo and cane products at Nalbari; and terracotta and pottery at Asharikandi, Dhubri.
He asked the GMs of these districts to support industry clusters to promote employment creation and economic growth. He also instructed the GMs to be innovative in their approach, promote entrepreneurship, especially among women, and liaise with industrial stakeholders and create an enabling and effective service delivery mechanism in their offices to attract investors.
The Industries Minister said agriculture, industry, skill and Act East Policy were among the most potential viable areas that can generate employment opportunities for the educated and skilled youth of Assam.
Earlier in the day, Commissioner and Secretary of Industries and Commerce Department, Dr KK Dwivedi held a review meeting with the GMs and discussed the new Industrial and Investment Policy (IIP) 2019, North East Industrial Development Scheme (NEIDS) 2017, avenues of industrial promotion and issues related to infrastructure, manpower, etc. He asked the GMs to nurture entrepreneurs, identify land estates, especially in Majuli, form clusters of cultivation found in abundance and bring discipline and effectiveness in their offices.
