Policy for promoting NE entrepreneurs sought
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, August 27 2020: Textiles, Commerce and Industry Minister Thongam Biswajit Singh today apprised Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal for a policy to promote entrepreneurs of North East region, through video conference.

Piyush Goyal was conducting a video conference interaction with Industry Ministers of all States on "One District One Product Initiative" a move towards realising "Aatmanirbhar" (self-reliant) Bharat.

During the video conference, the Union Minister also launched National GIS (Geographical Information System) enabled land bank system in six States.

Interacting with the Ministers, Biswajit highlighted that due to geographical location, Manipur and other States of the region (NE) face logistics and transportation problems and the entrepreneurs of the region face problems in competing with others from outside the region.

Considering these issues, he apprised the Union Minister to consider a promotion policy for the entrepreneurs of the State as well as others of the NE region.

He further highlighted several issues of the State to the Union Minister.

He said the State under the present BJP led Government has started exporting certain products like ginger, turmeric, pineapple, black rice, etc.

He further stated that the State has deposits of limestone and chromite and the Government is seeking clearance for exploration of the same from the Central Ministry.

The Minister added that the State will identify the districts for the implementation of the "One District One Product Scheme" and submit a report on the same within a week.

Biswajit also highlighted that Manipur has the highest concentration of looms and weavers and that handloom and handicraft is "our culture and tradition and our second livelihood means".

It may be mentioned that the objective of the video conference was to put in place an institutional mechanism to propagate "One District One Product" as a movement in the country, with the help of all State Governments.

Every State, Union Territory has to identify one product per district, based on the potential and strength of a district and National priorities; develop a cluster for that product in the district which is capable of producing world class product with quality and a brand; and provide market linkage.

It is proposed to drive this on a mission mode with specific targets set to be achieved by 2022, when the country celebrates the 75 year of Independence.

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