CM inaugurates Opening Ceremony of 7th India Industrial Fair

-CM appeals to union MSME Minister for New Industrial Policy for Assam

-MSME sector to play key role in achieving milestones under Act East Policy: Dr. Sarma

Guwahati, April 23 (HS): Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma today, in presence of union Minister for MSME Narayan Rane, inaugurated the Opening Ceremony of the four-day long 7th India Industrial Fair, titled UDYAM 2022, at Veterinary College Field, Khanapara, organised by the Northeast chapter of micro, small & medium enterprises industry body Laghu Udyog Bharti.

Being held by the industry body in association with Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprise of Government of India and Department of Industries, Commerce & Public Enterprises, Government of Assam, it is aimed at providing the producers and manufacturers in the MSME sector a platform to showcase their products and items to prospective buyers from both government as well as the private sector.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Dr. Sarma, lauding the efforts of Laghu Udyog Bharti for taking initiatives for organising events like this, said such platforms would help the new crop of entrepreneurs in the sector by motivating them to go ahead with greater zeal, creating the required enthusiasm among prospective buyers for new and innovative products in the market. He added,“Start-ups will get new direction through initiatives like this (UDYAM 2022)… Platforms such as this by connecting the producers with the prospective buyers would act as a potent driver for growth in the MSME world,” the Chief Minister stated, adding, “For the MSME sector to reach its full potential, it is the need of the hour that fearless entrepreneurs not averse to risk-taking take the lead in helping it (the sector) reach newer heights.”

Dr. Sarma, speaking on the role of the MSME sector towards the country’s Gross Domestic Product, expressed his gratitude to the industry as a whole for its contribution towards nation-building through creation of wealth and employment opportunities for the youth in the country .

The Chief Minister, stating that the MSME sector contributes to 29% of the State GDP, appealed to the major players in the industry to look at Assam as their most-favoured investment destination as the state today, under the current dispensation, is going through a phase of total peace and security across its length and breadth.

Dr. Sarma also stated that the state government has lined up a host of initiatives, such as auto-renewal of expired business licenses, etc, aimed at an overhaul of the industrial environment in the state. This, the Chief Minister added, would go a long way in achieving the Prime Minister’s dream project – the Act East Policy – aimed at connecting the economy of the Northeast India with that of the South-East Asian nations. “The connecting of the economy and businesses of the region with that of the South-East Asia would not only provide our entrepreneurs the huge market that region would offer but would also provide and avenue to our youths for self-employment by being a part of that trade link-up,” Dr. Sarma stated.

The Chief Minister also appealed to union Minister of MSME Narayan Rane, who was present in the occasion, to come up with a new industrial policy for the Northeastern part of the country, in line with the one that was enacted for the union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, so that investors look to favourably at the region for their valuable investments.

Dr. Sarma also spoke about the steps being taken by the government to modernise and improve the roadways, riverways as well as the logistic infrastructure of the state, which he stated, should be seen as a commitment of the current dispensation towards the investors who have already invested or are looking forward to invest in the state.

Besides union Minister for MSME Narayan Rane, Assam Industries & Commerce Minister Chandramohan Patowary, the opening ceremony was also attended by numerous guests, including All-India President of Laghu Udyog Bharti Baldev Prajapati, among others.

It is worth recalling that the 7th India Industrial Fair 2022 is being held for four days from 22 April to 25 April, 2022, at the Veterinary College Field, Khanapara.