Tuesday, October 09, 2007

Draft for ending hostilities with UGs ready,US, South Asia investors have evinced interest in state, says CM

By : A Staff Reporter 10/9/2007 1:45:05 AM

IMPHAL, Oct 8: Chief minister O Ibobi Singh, returning to Imphal today after a lengthy foreign tour, has said entrepreneurs of the USA and the South East Asian countries have evinced much interest in investment opportunities in Manipur, and the government is determined to provide a conducive atmosphere for such investment.

The chief minister, who attended a North East India Investment Conference in New York on September 26, along with the four-day North East India Investment Opportunities Week at Bangkok on October 1 to 4, briefed the state media on his experiences this afternoon at his official bungalow.

At the New York North East India Investment conference, on September 29, the CM said, he drew the attention of entrepreneurs and potential investors to the great potential of Manipur in the field of agro-based industries, rich bio-diversity of herbal and medicinal plants, rich forests and water resources and the advantages of being located at the gateway to South East Asia.
He said he had invited the entrepreneurs to the state to see its potential, and there were plenty of positive response.

In the four day conference held from October 1 to 4 at Bangkok, entrepreneurs and investors from various South Asian countries paid special aattention to Manipur, the CM said.

Entrepreneurs from Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia expressed their desire to invest in Manipur in the power, tourism, food processing, development of IT, and development of roads and bridges infrastructure.

He said such interest on the part of the entrepreneurs had given new hope, and he was expecting a good outcome in the near future.
The chief minister at the same time admitted that many foreign investors were reluctant to work in the state due to serious law and order problems.

In this connection, he said the state government will deal seriously and firmly with the situation.

He further observed that with the objective of bringing the law and order situation to normal, a draft terms and conditions for initiation of suspension of operations with all insurgent groups operating in the state has been prepared.

In this connection, the state chief secretary, and state home secretary will be sent to Delhi soon for discussions with home ministry officials on the matter within two days time, he said.

The CM went on to say that for the uniform development of hills and valley in the state, the government has earmarked 50% of funds under special plan assistance for infrastructure development of the hill districts.

Taking up of works under special plan assistance in the hill districts would commence on a war footing with the end of the monsoon season, the CM further said, asserting that no question of neglect of the hill areas.

He further said night landing facilities for commercial aircraft at the existing Tulihal airport will be installed by December this year, as the Airport Authority of India has already given permission. This is a step towards the upgradation of the airport to an international airport, he said.

The Imphal Free Press

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