Setting up of special economic zones (SEZs) will be key towards providing business opportunities in the north-eastern region, especially Manipur, which has successfully integrated local initiatives with national and global efforts, Jitendra Singh Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER) said.

“Initiatives of SEZs, technology, innovation and knowledge management are extremely important in the current scenario,” the DoNER Minister said in his inaugural address in an ASSOCHAM Interactive Session on ‘Manipur: The Land of Emerging Opportunities.’

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Singh added that in the post-covid India, north-east, including Manipur will play an important role in the resurgence and supplementation of the economy. 

He also said that the DoNER Ministry is reviewing all the incomplete projects to reallocate the funds that had been parked in these projects. “We are trying to make sure that we make a departure from past practice of leaving many projects in a languishing condition and then forgetting about it,” he said.

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Time-bound completion of ongoing projects in roadways, transport, waterways, airways, power and other sectors will be the priority of the government as this would enhance connectivity and communication links with cross-border points to promote trade and economic activities with the neighbouring countries, the minister said.

“If we have to engage ourselves with ASEAN countries, we need to empower ourselves proximal to the eastern borders,” Singh pointed out.