GUWAHATI, May 5 - Federation of Industry and Commerce of North Eastern Region (FINER) organised an interactive session here on the recently notified North East Industrial Development Scheme (NEIDS).
The seminar, held recently, was addressed by a senior team from the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Government of India. The team was led by Joint Secretary Dr Vandana Kumar.
Ravi Capoor, Additional Chief Secretary, Industry and Commerce, Government of Assam and senior officials of the Department attended the meeting, besides industry captains from mega, large and MSME sectors and members of FINER.
Dr Vandana Kumar and Arun Kumar, representing DIPP, made an elaborate presentation on the salient features of the NEIDS notification and explained that while this policy has been formulated with the intent of promoting investments in the region, it also focuses on generation of employment both in the manufacturing and service sectors.
Under the policy, the scope of incentives to the service sector has been widened to embrace more possible ventures compared to the earlier policy (NEIPP), which had a very limited scope. A live demonstration was also made by Arun Kumar on the modus operandi of registration and follow up actions required to be taken by entrepreneurs in order to avail the benefits of the policy.
Ravi Capoor stressed the need for stability in government policy formulations so that investors have confidence in the system and do not have apprehensions regarding policy shifts at short intervals. He also explained the steps being taken by the Government of Assam on creation of land banks, infrastructure and adequate power, and assured that the State government would very shortly be formulating and announcing the State Industrial Policy that would go much beyond expectations and provide lucrative incentives to industry to make Assam a destination for investments.
He emphasised on the fact that Assam is an unexplored land and there are many opportunities to be explored.
Abhijit Barooah, director and past chairman of FINER, appreciated the efforts of the State government and DIPP in bringing out NEIDS that according to him is much better compared to similar policies for many other States.
FINER president Pabitra Buragohain stated that the launch of NEIDS holds a greater significance at a time when Assam and the region are showing signs of stability and yearning for investments and employment generation.
