Newmai News Network Imphal | November 19 Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has said that Manipur is ready to host the first ever North East Development Summit (NEDS) 2017. The Summit will be inaugurated by President of India, Ram Nath Kovind on November 21 at 2:00 pm, it was informed. Speaking to media persons, Biren Singh said around 20 Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) is expected to be signed between various Departments of Government of Manipur and national and international companies/investors. The primary objective of organising such event is to showcase the existing economic potential and to attract outside investors in terms of food processing industry, bamboo industry, fisheries, real estate etc., he added. To make the Summit a success, the CM called upon the media houses/professionals to “play positive and constructive role” towards achieving economic development in the State. Stating that preparation for the Manipur Sangai Festival 2017 is almost complete, he sought the support and cooperation to make the upcoming North East Development Summit a grand success. “We should not create any inconvenience and troublesome to the tourists and visitors both from the country and abroad,” he added. The Chief Minister informed that 175 delegates will participate in the Summit. Union Minister for Commerce and Industries Suresh Prabhu, Chief Ministers of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland, Director India Foundation, Ram Madhav, Vice-Chairman NITI Ayaog Rajeev Kumar, Ministers and officials from NE states, ambassadors, high commissioners and officials from various countries including Malaysia, China, Japan, Sweden, Taiwan etc will be among the delegates. Around 36 companies/firms from India are participating in addition to Associations like FICCI, CII, NASSCOM, Border Trade Moreh, Myanmar India Business Chamber, India Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce etc. United Nations Resident Co-ordinator Yuri Afanasiev, High Commissioner of Malaysia H.E Dato Hidayat Abdul Hamid will also attend the Summit. NEDS 2017, jointly organized by Government of Manipur, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India and India Foundation, will be held on November 21 and 22 at City Convention Centre, Imphal.
