What are the various investment opportunities in the state?
Bamboo is the biggest resource we have. With one of the best qualities of bamboo, we can have various bamboo-based industries in the state.
Some big names in the market have approached us and have offered to start paper mills and bamboo chipping industries.
The local people are also making good use of bamboo. They have invented a machine to make incense sticks.
 |
| - Shri Pu Lalthanhawla Chief Minister , Government of Mizoram |
The second most important resource available with the state is educated youth. Mizoram’s literacy rate is 94 plus, which is commendable. Investors can tap the largely educated human resource in the state.
We are also encouraging our youth for self-employment.
The state produces strawberries, grapes, pineapples, passion fruit, etc. in large quantities. Investments could be made in food processing, contract farming, etc. While only a few wineries are operating in the state, there is a plenty of scope wich means many more can come up. Particularly, the MSME entrepreneurs will gain by way of providing raw material and sale of the produce.
Also, there is scope in poultry farming and cattle rearing.
Despite being a beautiful state, why hasn’t eco-tourism taken off in Mizoram?
Infrastructure - lack of it has been a major hindrance. We have one airfield at Lengpui and flights are more often than not, erratic. We have a National Highway 54 coming from Silchar in Cachar, Assam. This is not up to the mark. Proposal for 4-laning is going on, but the pace has been somewhat tardy. The National Highway Authority has suggested a PPP mode in its implementation. But there are few takers as the traffic flow is not enough for attracting investors. Rail connectivity is also yet to be developed.
How will the upcoming Switte port change the trade scenario in the state?
This is one good investment being made by India, albeit a little late. We are told China is making a lot of investment forays into Myanmar already! With our improving equation with our neighbors in the eastern sector, the development of Sittwe port will definitely open up new areas for trade with Myanmar and Bangladesh. We all know how richly endowed Myanmar is in terms of oil and gas and other natural resources including timber so we must also tap the potential.
What are the industries that will be positively impacted from this step?
Almost all the industries would gain - the energy sector, agriculture and overall trade. Entrepreneurship and skill development through the Entrepreneurship Development Program of the Government of India can play a big role. MSMEs are complementary to large industries as ancillary units and contribute enormously to the socio-economic development of the country.
It is well established that the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector has emerged as a highly vibrant and dynamic sector of the Indian economy over the years. MSMEs not only play crucial role in providing large employment opportunities at comparatively lower capital cost than large industries but also help in industrialization of rural and backward areas, thereby, reducing regional imbalances, assuring more equitable distribution of national income and wealth.
What are the major obstacles that have hindered the progress of MSMEs in this region?
Lack of awareness is one, and another is the outreach of financial institutions. We have more than a 100 bank branches in the State but their rural outreach (Other than SBI) is almost NIL - sorry to say this. So the very FINANCIAL INCLUSION envisaged in the 11th Plan is still a far cry for the entrepreneurs of Mizoram. In addition, some banks do not provide COLLATERAL-FREE LOANS to the Entrepreneurs in spite of RBI guidelines. We all need to work on MUTUAL TRUST. This includes our commercial and nationalized banks.
What incentives does the government provide to local entrepreneurs?
If you look at our Industrial Policy, a lot of incentives are available for the local entrepreneurs. We have the Investment Subsidies for making a level playing field for the locals to start with. What is required is dedication and commitment.
What future plans does the government have in place to promote MSMEs?
As I have just said, government is the biggest employer in Mizoram. However, it has become quite unmanageable in recent years and we may have to adopt DOWNSIZING just like everybody else. In such a scenario, government has to promote the development of micro and small enterprises with the objective of creating self-employment opportunities and upgrading the relevant skills of existing and potential entrepreneurs.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
