SHILLONG, Jan 9 � Dr Montek Singh Ahluwaliah, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, has underlined the critical importance that infrastructure and connectivity holds for the future development of the North East.
He was addressing the valedictory session of the 7th North East Business Summit organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce yesterday in New Delhi.
The North East, he said, shares borders with the nations of East, South and South East Asia, incidentally the nations considered to be the most dynamic and economically active at present. �Connectivity and infrastructure needs to be developed at a fast pace in the North East, to make gainful use of its advantageous position�, he said.
While the Government, both at the Centre and the States have made tireless efforts towards the same, given the volume of investments required private intervention is strictly called for to achieve the targeted capacity. While many inroads have been made, innovative PPP models need to be devised to attract greater private sector participation,� Ahluwaliah noted.
Commenting on the prospects of the Tourism industry in the NE, Dr Ahluwaliah explained that rather than each State trying to project its own potential, a common consensus between the States aiming at projecting the entire North East�s tourism potential, must be immediately arrived at.
North East as whole can be better marketed than individual States to the domestic and international tourist community. With respect to hydro power, he urged for the formation of close working groups between Industry and the respective State Governments to analyse the progress of the projects and identify the associated problems for fast track implementation.
Commenting on skill development he opined that while the region boasts of a comparatively higher literacy rate private intervention is necessary to generate the requisite employable skills, a critical requirement for the North East�s industrial development.
In conclusion, Dr Ahluwalia, reiterated that contrary to the popular perception tireless efforts on part of the State Governments have brought in the much needed peace in the region to give investors the necessary encouragement to enter the North East.
