Shillong, Mar 25: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma inaugurated the 7th Act East Business Show at the State Convention Centre in the city on Tuesday.
Sangma emphasised Meghalaya’s growing role in regional and international trade, highlighting the state’s focus on infrastructure development, policy reforms and business-friendly initiatives.
“What is most important for us as the state government and a nation is the strong partnership that we build. These events will come and go, but it is the partnership, bonding and friendship we develop through programmes like this,” he added.
The event marked a significant step toward strengthening trade and investment ties between North East India and BBIN and ASEAN nations.
The three-day event, being attended by key dignitaries including ambassadors and representatives of different countries, is a strategic platform to promote Meghalaya as a key destination for investment, fostering collaborations across diverse sectors such as infrastructure, technology, agriculture and tourism.
Sangma also underscored the importance of focusing on self-help groups and cooperative societies to ensure that the development is inclusive and holistic.
Mahesh Kumar Saharia, Chairman- NER, Indian Chamber of Commerce and Honourary Consul of Indonesia to Kolkata, emphasised the Centre’s significant investment in the North Eastern Region (NER), allocating 10% of its GDP for the region’s development. He also highlighted Meghalaya’s crucial role in the Act East policy, which aims to strengthen economic ties with Southeast Asian countries.
Among other dignitaries were Philipp Ackerman, Ambassador of Germany to India; Josel F. Ignacio, Ambassador of the Philippines to India; Dato Muzafar Shah Mustafa, High Commissioner of Malaysia to India; Thirapath Mongkolnavin, Minister and Deputy Chief of Mission of Thailand to India; and Jigme Thinlye Namgyal, Consul General of Bhutan to Guwahati.
