Shillong, Dec 12:The need to develop a robust value chain for the North East to enable it to capitalize on its unique strengths and natural resources was highlighted during the interactive roundtable discussion organised by the Asian Confluence.
Held in collaboration with the Centre for Responsible Business, the session titled “European Union Investments for North East India Economic Development” was initiated by Franck Viault, Head of Cooperation at the European Union Delegation to India and Bhutan.
Viault underscored the importance of EU-India collaboration and highlighted the opportunities the EU can offer to foster economic development in the North East. Increasing the volume and market readiness of key regional commodities was highlighted as a critical factor in driving economic growth.
Scholars, senior media professionals, institutional leaders, and senior government officials from Meghalaya took part in the discussion where the conversation emphasized the potential of enhanced cooperation between India and the European Union to unlock economic opportunities in the region.
The bio-economy emerged as a promising investment area, with participants stressing the potential for sustainable development by leveraging the region’s rich biodiversity. Additionally, the establishment of a visa processing center in North East was proposed to enhance mobility and facilitate collaboration with European counterparts.
Another crucial aspect discussed was the need to ensure that all investments in the region are climate-proof, aligning with global sustainability goals and making the Northeast more resilient to the impacts of climate change.
This roundtable is a follow-up to the series of roundtables held after the “Global Gateway” conference hosted by MEA, EU, and Asian Confluence in June 2023. This roundtable served as a crucial platform to explore actionable pathways for fostering EU investment in North East, aligning economic growth with sustainability and regional priorities.
