A concluding press conference of B20 was held on March 17 at Chintan Bhawan as a part of G20 Summit. The presser was addressed by Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang along with Minister of Information and Public Relations, BS Panth, Chief Secretary, VB Pathak, IPR Secretary, Namrata Thapa, Agriculture Secretary, JD Bhutia, Commerce & Industries Secretary, Karma R Bonpo, Additional Chief Secretary, Tourism & Civil Aviation, ML Srivastava, Chief Executive Officer, Sikkim Organic Farming Development Agency, Dr S Anbalagan, and representative of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Brigadier Ashis Bhattacharyya.
Sikkim Chief Secretary V.B. Pathak presenting the B20 meeting summary informed that, “Sikkim has received high interest from investors in investing over 1000 crore in sectors like IT & ITeS, infrastructure, renewable energy, microbrewery, skill development, education, Agri processing, organic farming, forest products, hospitality sector and others”.
“The investors include major organisations like In Tandem Global Consulting, iZIP Autos Private Limited, Welco Distillery Private Limited and STC Overseas Education, among others”. He added.
“Costa Rica, with 95% dependency on hydropower, has shown interest in collaborating with Sikkim. While Norway has indicated interest in small hydro and tunnelling activities in Sikkim with disaster mitigation efforts, and Sweden has expressed interest in supporting the education sector of the State. UAE has shown interest in promoting Renewable City in Gangtok, with Iceland backing the same idea with a slope stabilization proposal.” Added his statement.
Similarly, Pathak informed that the World Bank will invest in village infrastructure for connecting the Siliguri corridor with better infrastructure in regard to Sikkim, with a major focus on road development and alternative modes of transportation. He said that the neighbouring countries of Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh have shown keen interest in international air connectivity with Pakyong and Bagdogra.
Sikkim Chief Minister on Rs 1000 cr probable investment informed that State government would immediately start efficiently implementing investor-friendly policies that would benefit the State stakeholders and the investors. “Overwhelming interest of the investors in Sikkim shall be very fruitful for the State in the long run”
“Positive deliberations of the conference have raised the investment prospects for the State of Sikkim, with investors showing interest in investing around Rs 1000 crores in Sikkim in various sectors. The State government would immediately start efficiently implementing investor-friendly policies that would benefit the State stakeholders and the investors.”
The B20 conference was held on March 16 at Gangtok on topic “Opportunities for Multilateral Business Partnerships in Tourism, Hospitality, Pharmaceutical and Organic Farming”
In addition, Sikkim CM conveyed that B20 delegates were deeply impressed by the hospitality of the people of Sikkim and shared their thoughts of visiting the State again to foster global connection and build up the confidence of further cooperation. He expressed confidence that the overwhelming interest of the investors in Sikkim shall be very fruitful for the State in the long run.
Among the delegates were four Ambassadors, four Deputy Head of Missions and two Council Generals. A total of 43 delegates were present for the event along with 50 Indian business and multilateral organisations and over 100 participants representing the State government, Pharmaceuticals, and entrepreneurs.
Inputs: IPR