Agartala, July 9 (IANS) Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Jyotiraditya M. Scindia on Thursday said that, guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s transformative Act East Policy, Tripura is fast emerging as a preferred destination for long-term investment and as India’s gateway to Southeast Asia.

Addressing the inaugural session of the two-day Destination Tripura Business Conclave-2026, the DoNER Minister said the state today stands at the intersection of connectivity, commerce and immense opportunity, making it one of the most promising investment destinations in the Northeast.

Urging investors to become partners in Tripura’s remarkable growth journey, Scindia, in his virtual address, said the conclave provides a platform to showcase a state that is poised to attract long-term investments, catalyse a new wave of enterprise, generate employment and accelerate inclusive economic growth.

“Guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s transformative Act East Policy and the steadfast leadership of Chief Minister Manik Saha, Tripura is fast emerging as a preferred investment destination and India’s gateway to Southeast Asia,” the Union Minister said.

Describing Tripura as a unique state endowed with strategic access to Southeast Asia, abundant natural resources, a skilled workforce and progressive governance, Scindia said the state offers immense opportunities for investors across multiple sectors.

Highlighting Tripura’s economic progress, the Union Minister said the state’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) has nearly doubled to around Rs 90,000 crore over the past few years, reflecting its sustained economic growth and improving the investment climate.

He also pointed out that Tripura is India’s largest producer of bamboo and the country’s second-largest producer of natural rubber, giving it significant potential to emerge as a major export hub for value-added products.

Chief Minister Manik Saha said the state government aims to attract investment proposals worth nearly Rs 1 lakh crore across key sectors through the business conclave.

He stressed the importance of attracting both domestic and foreign investments to create large-scale employment opportunities, enhance per capita income and further strengthen the state’s Gross State Domestic Product.

The Chief Minister said that Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) worth nearly Rs 30,000 crore were signed during last year’s business conclave, of which projects valued at around Rs 8,000 crore have already entered the implementation stage.

Expressing confidence over the success of this year’s conclave, Saha said the event would build upon last year’s achievements by facilitating new partnerships, encouraging greater participation by industry leaders and positioning Tripura as one of the Northeast’s most attractive investment destinations, backed by improved infrastructure, policy reforms and strategic connectivity with neighbouring countries under the Centre’s Act East Policy.

Describing Tripura as one of the fastest-growing states in the country, the Chief Minister said the time is ripe for private investors to tap the state’s enormous potential and leverage its rapidly expanding infrastructure and investor-friendly ecosystem.

Saha informed that while the government had initially expected around 500 business delegates, the response far exceeded expectations, with nearly 1,200 business leaders, industrialists, promoters and entrepreneurs participating in the conclave.

He said Tripura’s abundant natural resources, all-weather connectivity, peaceful environment and business-friendly policies make it an attractive destination for investments across diverse sectors.

The Chief Minister added that the state government’s guiding principles are “One Business, One Licence”, “Ease of Doing Business” as its commitment, and “Ease of Living” as its ultimate goal, aimed at creating a seamless and investor-friendly business environment.

Saha also announced that, on the sidelines of the conclave, the state government would hold discussions with Bangladesh High Commissioner to India M. Riaz Hamidullah to explore avenues for strengthening cross-border trade and economic cooperation.

Industry and Commerce Department Secretary Kiran Gitte said that over the past few years, Tripura has witnessed a steady inflow of investments across various sectors of the economy.

“Therefore, this year we decided to organise a multi-sectoral Business Conclave by bringing all departments and organisations under one roof so that greater synergy can be achieved. Through both administrative initiatives and business outreach, Tripura’s reputation has spread across every corner of the country,” Gitte said.

He said diplomats from South Africa, Chile, Bangladesh, Timor-Leste, Laos, the Philippines, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, besides the Chairperson of the North East Chapter of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), industrialists, investors and business leaders from across the country, along with several hundred official delegates, participated in the conclave.

Gitte said that to attract investors to the state, the government had organised four major roadshows in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, New Delhi and Guwahati ahead of the conclave.

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, in a recorded message, and Tripura Industries and Commerce Minister Santana Chakma, among others, also addressed the inaugural session of the business conclave.

Several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed on the first day of the conclave for investments in sectors including tourism, agarwood, rubber, food processing and other emerging industries.

The two-day mega business conclave is being held at the Hapania International Fair Ground on the outskirts of Agartala and has brought together policymakers, diplomats, investors, industry leaders and entrepreneurs from India and abroad to explore investment opportunities in Tripura.

–IANS

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