Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the first ever Global Investors’ Summit in Guwahati and said that the initiative will boost the region’s connectivity with ASEAN countries, opening up new vistas of opportunities.
Highlighting that Assam and other North Eastern States as the epicenter of India’s Act East Policy, the Prime Minister said that the Summit has timely brought together under one umbrella ASEAN and BBN countries together, which will boost prosperity of the region.
“Holding of Global Investors’ Summit in Assam would usher in a new chapter of economic prosperity in the State,” said Modi while hailing the initiative of Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and his team for auguring an investment and development friendly climate in the State which indeed has made possible for holding the Global Investors’ Summit.
Reiterating his commitment to the development of North East, Modi said Centre has pitched for transformation of the north-east region through transportation and vowed to build 4000 km of national highways in the region.
He also said that the Railway is also investing Rs 5,300 crore every year for the expansion of rail network in the State. “Under PMGSY all the villages will be connected through motorable roads which will also connect schools, hospitals, markets etc in the rural areas and same would be completed by 2019 in place of the previously set target of 2022,” the PM said.
“Under UDAN scheme besides subsidised air services, 19 airports, including five in Assam would be benefitted. Moreover, a new terminal of international standard would also be built in Guwahati,” he added.
Modi also said that for a new India, a balanced development of northeast is of paramount importance and emphasized that apart from development of transportation the entire region would be connected with National Gas Grid. “Moreover, Centre would launch a scheme christened northeast Infrastructure Development Scheme for bolstering expeditious infrastructural development of the region,” he added.
He said that the Centre along with Ease of Doing Business is also working for Ease of living for transformation of the lives of the people of the country.
It may be mentioned here that the Summit being held for two days in the city is likely to see participation of over 5000 delegates from foreign countries, particularly the ASEAN countries. The first day of the Summit witnessed signing of 250 MoUs involving over Rs 60,000 core investments in the region.