CM hard-sells Manipur as state hosts B20 session
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, February 17 2023: Following the assumption of G20 presidency by India from December 1, 2022 onwards, the state hosted a conference on 'Opportunities for multilateral business partnerships in ICT (information & communication technology), tourism, healthcare and handloom' at City Convention Centre, Palace compound, here, on Friday.

The conference (B20) in the state was a part of the G20 summit being hosted by India and organised under the theme 'One Earth, One Family, One Future' by the ministry of external affairs.

Friday's conference was the first of the four B20 sessions scheduled in the North East, which is the official G20 dialogue forum for the global business community.

Delegates from Australia, Argentina, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Chad, Canada, China, France, Greece, Iceland, Japan, Nepal, Russia, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Tunisia, Uganda, United States and United Kingdom took part in the B20 conference.

Besides the delegates from these countries, visiting dignitaries include 26 overseas business delegates and 24 diplomats including ambassadors.

Before the conference, delegates of G20 from member nations as well as ambassadors of the member nations arrived at Imphal international airport on a chartered flight from New Delhi.

The inaugural session of the conference was attended by chief minister N Biren Singh, Union minister of state for external affairs Dr RK Ranjan Singh, Union minister of state for commerce and industries Som Parkash, Manipur chief secretary Dr Rajesh Kumar, joint secretary (summits) G20 secretariat, Government of India L Ramesh Babu, commissioner (textiles & commerce, industries) Manipur Pradeep K Jha and Confederation of Indian Industry member Gopi K More.

Addressing the congregation, chief minister N Biren said that the conference would be a great platform for the state to showcase its strength and opportunities for multilateral business partnerships in various sectors in the backdrop of the rich cultural heritage.

He continued that the B20 conference would shape policies towards sustainable growth and development while ushering in peace and progress in line with the theme of One Earth, One Family, One Future'.

While reminding the delegates that Manipur with a population of 2.72 million and 22,300 sq km area is the land gateway of India to South East Asia, N Biren said that the state has the perfect setting for implementing India's Act East Policy and it is the bridge between South East Asia and India.

Once the stretch of Asian Highway within Myanmar gets completed, road travel from Manipur to Bangkok in 16 -18 hours will be possible, he said and disclosed that plans are afoot to start in ternational flights from Imphal to Mandalay in Myanmar and Bangkok in Thailand.

The chief minister also said that Imphal International Airport would soon have a new integrated terminal and an air cargo terminal.

Train services would also reach Imphal city by next year, he said and highlighted further that Manipur has been recognised as the Most Improved Small State in Overall Category for three years in a row.

This has been facilitated by an improved security scenario, he added.

Biren further informed that new Industrial and Investment Promotion Policy of Manipur has been adopted to promote investment in the state.

To promote Ease of Doing Business', the Manipur Industrial Single Window Clearance Act, 2021 was enacted.

Given the importance of logistics, the Manipur Integrated Logistics Policy, 2022 was also notified, he said.

The chief minister continued that Manipur has a strong base of qualified healthcare professionals and specialists and that nurses from Manipur are in high demand across India.

Health institutes in the state not only cater to patients from neighbouring states but also from the neighbouring Myanmar, presenting attractive investment opportunities in the area of medical tourism.

Manipur has huge tourism potential in the form of rich natural, historical and cultural heritage and the state gave polo to the world, he added.

Manipur also has a strong sporting culture and offers scope for investment.

Despite its small population, Manipur has produced numerous successful sportspersons including 19 Olympians.

The government has been promoting the state as a preferred tourism destination and has come up with an investor friendly tourism policy, he elaborated.

The chief minister further informed the congregation that Manipur has huge untapped potentials in medicinal plants, horticultural products, aromatic plants and spices.

Local produces like aromatic black rice, pineapple, oranges, ginger, etc., are known for their unique taste.

He continued that Manipur is blessed with young and dynamic population with 50 percent of business registrations for MSME (Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises) in Manipur owned by women, compared to about 20 percent for the rest of the country.

According to CM Biren, the biggest strength of Manipur is its English-speaking youth and they have done extremely well in service sec -tor including hospitality, nursing, customer care, computer skills, health & wellness, etc.

In his speech, Dr RK Ranjan said that India, as a fast-growing nation, is an intriguing market for overseas businesses and inves tors.

In recent years, India has seen a surge in economic growth and now ranks fifth in world's economy in GDP.

He added that the North East region has diverse potential to propel 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' by being the engines of growth.

The Union minister informed the gathering that the availability of exportable resources coupled with the locational advantage offers the opportunity of medical tourism through Ayurvedic therapies & traditional medical treatments.

He said that Imphal has a population with huge skills advantage which is artistic and creative by nature and this has found expression in their handloom and handicraft products, which are world-famous for their designs, ingenuity, colourfulness and usefulness.

Union minister Som Parkash, while addressing the gathering, stated that as India holds the presidency of the G20, the country will make sure this presidency is 'Inclusive, ambitious, decisive and action-oriented'.

As the world endeavours to pave the way towards a global economic recovery, the utmost importance to acknowledge is that the success of this recovery will largely depend on the actions of businesses, he said, adding that the G20 must provide a crucial forum for businesses to convene and collectively address key global issues with a unified voice.

India has a large and growing economy, a highly skilled workforce, and a rich cultural heritage that can serve as a bridge between different nations and culture, Som Parkash said and expressed hope that India has a strong commitment to sustainable development.

According to Som Prakash, G20 member nations contribute 85 percent, of the global GDP with two-third of global population and share 75 percent of global business.

He also said that G20 is the most important global economic forum.

The inaugural session was followed by a plenary session wherein topics including 'Investment Opportunities & Support Ecosystem for doing Business in Manipur', 'Opportunities in Core Sector, Healthcare & Medical Tourism, Tourism & Hospitality, ICT, Handlooms & Textiles' were deliberated.

Representatives of G20 and other countries also addressed the plenary session.

The inaugural session was also attended by ministers, members of legislative assembly and senior government officials of the state among others.

Earlier, a ministerial team led by ministers Nemcha Kipgen, Th Basanta and Khashim Vashum, and MLA Kh Ibomcha Singh received the B20 delegates at Bir Tikendrajit International Airport.

It may be mentioned that Manipur is hosting the first of the four B20 sessions scheduled in the North East, which is the official G20 dialogue forum for the global business community.

Comment