Source: The Sangai Express / Manipur Info Centre
New Delhi, February 10 2009:
With an aim to attracting more investment from the ASEAN countries to the North Eastern states, the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) in association with the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Indian Diplomatic Mission in Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industries is organising a three-day ASEAN North East India Investment and Trade Opportunities Summit at White Palace, 194 Hoang Van Thu in Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam from February 12 to 14 this year.
Officials at the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) said the event was being organised in Vietnam so as to ensure maximum participation from the ASEAN countries.
They said all the chief ministers of the region had been invited to the meet to showcase their states as attractive investment destination.
The DoNER Ministry had earlier organised a North East India Trade and Investment Opportunities Week in Bangkok and a North East Investment Opportunity Day in New York.
The decision to hold an investment week in Vietnam came after envoys and representatives of over 10 ASEAN countries participated in the 4th North East Business summit, which was held in Guwahati in September 2008.The Summit generated a high degree of investment interest in the region by the ASEAN countries and now we want to take it forward, officials said.
They said ASEAN countries as well as many European Nations have also shown their interest in investing in the region.
We are also planning to take envoys of many European nations to the North East as they have also shown keen interest in investing in the region, they said.
Officials said even envoys of some Arab countries have also expressed interest in visiting the region to explore possibilities for investment.
The State delegations from the North East States today left their respective states to proceed to Ho Chi Minh City for the ASEAN North East India Investment and Opportunities Summit.
The State delegations will discuss trade and investment in the agriculture, infrastructure, tourism and IT sectors with their Vietnamese counterparts at the event.
Sources from DoNER Ministry said more than 70 companies from different business sectors in North East India had already confirmed their participation in the event.
A high profile delegation of corporate organizations from various parts of India will be present in the Ho Chi Minh City for the summit and have their first time one-to-one meeting with Vietnamese counterparts.
Laos Minister of Industries and Commerce Dr.Nam Viyaketh will deliver the inaugural address on February 12 in the presence of Ministers of the NorthEastern States of India and dignitaries from Vietnam and India.
In the inaugural session, the Secretary General of Indian Chamber of Commerce Dr.Rajeev Singh will deliver welcome address.
It will be followed by a multimedia presentation on Opportunities Unlimited with introducing the North East India.
Secretary of DoNER Jarnail Singh will present keynote address.