As a follow-up to the “Make in India” initiative inspired by Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi, Union Minister of State of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Dr Jitendra Singh has suggested “Make in Northeast” brand initiative.

Based on the unique product identified with each of the eight States of the region, the minister has also offered to collaborate with all the stakeholders to give the exclusive identity of its own.

In his interaction with Secretary General of Associated Chambers of Commerce of India (ASSOCHAM), Sh D.S. in Rawat in New Delhi Dr Jitendra Singh offered to contribute by coordinating between the government and the various business houses and trade organizations for the success of this initiative.

The minister further said that he has always felt that, instead of the various States of the region being casually referred as the North Eastern States, each of the eight States, can be developed as an identity on its own, to be known by its own name. For example, he said, Sikkim can be developed as the “Organic State of India”, Mizoram as the “Bamboo State of India”, Manipur as the “Textiles State of India” and so on.

“This “Make in Northeast” approach will not only generate the revenue and livelihood opportunities in the region, but it would also reinforce the Government of India’s “Act East” policy, said Singh.

Citing an example, the minister said that only a produce grown in Arunachal Pradesh or Nagaland can find customers and consumers in countries across eastern borders like Myanmar, because of the common lifestyle, common food habits and common culture.

He also referred to the new “Fruit Court” started in Mizoram from March this year with the Israel collaboration. He said the further scope of “Public-Private Participation” (PPP) ventures will also be worked out by the Ministry of Northeast (DoNER) in a manner that proves to be mutually beneficial to all.

The role of institutions like North East Small Finance Bank Ltd (NESFB), the North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd (NEDFi), and the recently introduced “North-East Venture Fund” can also be improvised and made more inclusive to attract investors and manufacturers who have the know-how to contribute in supplementing the exclusive identity of each State and the region, thus enriching the brand of “Make in Northeast”.