• Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia highlighted North-East India's potential as a gateway to Southeast Asian markets.
• Scindia emphasized the region's progress in sectors like tourism, renewable energy, sports, and IT.
• The region's youth, high literacy rates, and abundant natural resources make it an ideal investment destination.
• The North-East region, under PM Modi's leadership, is poised for significant growth and development, making it attractive for investors.

Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Jyotiraditya Scindia, recently highlighted the potential of North-East India as a gateway to the vast Southeast Asian markets. Speaking at the 'North East Trade and Investment Roadshow' in Mumbai, Scindia emphasized the region's potential, which is now ready to contribute to India's growth with an impressive 11 per cent GDP growth rate.

Scindia underscored the development of infrastructure, human resources, and specialized sectors, positioning North-East India as a key player in the nation's future. He stressed the importance of building bridges between the vibrant business ecosystems of Mumbai and North-East, ensuring a seamless path for growth and innovation.

The minister outlined the region's progress in various sectors, including tourism, renewable energy, sports and IT, and emphasized the need for a focused quality-driven approach for the development of the region.

North-East India: An Ideal Investment Destination

Scindia assured investors that the region's youth, high literacy rates, and abundant natural resources make it an ideal destination for investment, particularly in areas like sustainable agriculture, manufacturing, and technology. His comments echo the sentiments of Tripura Chief Minister Professor (Dr) Manik Saha, who reaffirmed that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the North-East region, particularly Tripura, is witnessing remarkable growth.

Tripura, recognized as one of the most peaceful states, has demonstrated impressive economic performance with a per capita income of Rs 1,77,000, making it the second-largest GSDP contributor in North-East. Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma also highlighted the state's transformative growth, driven by strong leadership with a focused investment and development strategy.

Under the guidance of PM Modi, the state has developed investor-friendly policies and attracted significant responses, particularly in sectors like tourism, food processing and infrastructure.

Historical Parallels and Future Prospects

The North East Trade and Investment Roadshow in Mumbai, part of the pre-summit activities of the North East Investors Summit, attracted significant interest from potential investors. The Mumbai roadshow witnessed considerable interest, with several B2G meetings generating potential investments for the North East Region.

The North-East region's potential as a gateway to Southeast Asian markets is reminiscent of historical events where regions have leveraged their strategic location for economic growth. For instance, the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 transformed Egypt into a global trade hub. Similarly, the Panama Canal's opening in 1914 significantly boosted Panama's economy by providing a shortcut for ships traveling between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.