Lead Story

Govt seeks international investors for north east states

Praveen K Singh - New Delhi

In order to tap the immense potential of the North East states, the Government of India has plans to promote them as an investment destination and a paradise for tourism. The Ministry of Tourism (MoT) is warming up to the region's ecological heritage and has sanctioned about Rs 300 crore, of which numerous projects are for the northeast region.

Talking to Express Hospitality, Montek Singh Ahluwalia, deputy chairman of the Planning Commission, said, "Augmented government spending in the region is now required to be increased by a mix of private capital, and for this purpose the North East is being advertised to the world as a region rich in bio-diversity and great for tourism."

According to the ministry for Development of the North East Region (DONER), potential investors are being offered numerous attractive tax sops and other concessions on a decadal basis. On the other hand, to enhance hospitality infrastructure, MoT has planned to promote the Bed & Breakfast Scheme in these states. Minister for tourism Ambika Soni, declared, "Unfortunately in the northeastern states of the country, there are barely any branded hotels. Thus there is an enormous potential for B&B accommodation, which we are planning to encourage in the region."

Meanwhile, ITC's WelcomHeritage has plans to expand in the northeast as there are good heritage properties in the region. Its president, Rakesh Mathur, said, "We are looking at properties in Nagaland and plan to add a property in Kaziranaga, Assam." WelcomHeritage already has presence in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya.

The ministry for DONER had recently organised a conference in New York to showcase the potential of the region in terms of tourism. Also, a major northeast trade and investment week was organised in Bangkok last month, which elicited warm response from investors.