| Investing in
the North-East
The Governor Ved Marwah has extended an invitation to big corporate houses to come to the North Eastern region and invest. Addressing a group of businessmen and industrialists at a seminar on Development of North Eastern region hill States at Bangalore on Thursday Marwah informed the investors that the climate for setting up of business and industry is favorable in the region.
In the past many such appeals had been made to prospective investors to start business in the region, but few are willing to respond to the invitation positively.
The reason is not far to seek. The situation in the region is not considered conducive for investors from outside to come and launch their businesses. Armed militancy in the North East is known within and without the country. Since the law and order situation is fluid and there is an atmosphere of uncertainty, no one seems to be willing to invest money in the North East.
Apart from the law and order situation the transport and communication facilities in this corner of the country are very poor, to say the least. Goods produced here are not finding easy markets. Since railhead is yet to reach Imphal cost of transportation is too high to start a successful business in Manipur.
The Stale is connected to outside world through only two national highways. What is more the traffic on the national highways are disrupted due to various reasons. Right now fuel is a scarce item in Manipur since there is no free flow of fuel supply as the State Government has allegedly failed to provide adequate security to the oil Transporters. As most of the petrol- outlets have run dry, black marketeers are doing a thriving business. Given the situation, it is unlikely that business houses will come in the North East.
The region has a lot of scope for developing tourism as a successful industry. Its scenic spots are major attraction to domestic and foreign tourists. Apart from the prevailing situation, restrictions imposed on entry by outsiders have posed a major hurdle in developing tourism. It is because of this reason that the region has been urging the Center to lift the restrictions.
Sadly the region has only few avenues for generating employment. As a matter of fact the problem of unemployment has assumed alarming proportion. Add to this ineffective and corrupt Governments.
It is no surprising that frustration among the educated youths are growing in the North East. Without investment development could not take off. And the investors will come only when the situation is conducive. Before inviting investors both the Center and the State Governments should try to remove all the hurdles. Improving the roads and transportation system should get top priority in their agenda. No efforts should be spared to bring normalcy and peace in the region.
(Courtesy: The
Sangai Express)
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