GUWAHATI, March 9 � �We are here drawn by the opportunities of the region that had by and large not been getting attention�we are here by choice and keen to invest.�
This emphatic assertion by Ratan Tata, chairman of Tata Group, summed up the buoyant mood of the first sitting of the Assam Investment Advisory Board involving top industrialists of the country. The unanimous message was that the law and order situation of the State had improved and was no longer a deterrent for investment.
Later, the Tata Housing Development Company Ltd (THDCL) signed two MoUs with the Industries and Commerce Department and the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA). The MoUs relate to creation of commercial spaces, IT parks and business hubs in the State.
Tata, who was addressing media persons along with a host of corporate honchos besides Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and Industry Minister Pradyut Bardoloi, termed his visit to Guwahati as a �real eye opener�, saying that he was surprised to see the changing face of Guwahati.
�Guwahati has changed a lot since my last visit�the city bears evidences of prosperity,� he said.
Tata said that in addition to the group�s presence is agro business and tea, it would like to make forays into new areas besides doing value addition.
Other members of the Board including BM Khaitan, chairman, Eveready Industries, MS Banga of Hindustan Unilever, Naina Lal Kidwai, CEO, HSBC Bank, VN Dhoot, chairman, Videocon group, RK Krishna Kumar, Director, Tata group, OP Bhatt, chairman, State Bank of India, HP Barooah, and representatives from several top business entities, made a strong pitch for investments in the State, while urging the State Government to act as the facilitator besides addressing some of the problem areas.
Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi sounded upbeat on a sustained flow of investments following the summit, and said that such a development would ensure all-round development of the State.
�Top industrialists are eager to invest in Assam, especially in rural Assam, which will help achieve the goal of inclusive development. The investments will come on wide-ranging areas including tourism, education, health care, plantation, micro finance, etc., �the existing drawbacks such as power and connectivity will be overcome, as a good beginning has been made,� Gogoi said.
Industries Minister Pradyut Bardoloi said that the endeavour would go along way in establishing brand Assam. �I am convinced the State will see lots of investments in the coming days,� he said.
