India Inc chiefs pledge to invest in Assam

A galaxy of India Inc head honchos is in Assam at the invitation of chief minister Tarun Gogoi to chart out a vision and strategy for Assam's economic and industrial growth at the first-ever meeting of the Assam Investment Advisory Board (AIAB).

The leaders on Tuesday pledged to invest in Assam and explore opportunities for business in agriculture, tourism and rural infrastructure, setting up of power plants, IT parks and bio-diesel facilities.

Ratan Tata, chairman of Tata Sons Ltd told media persons in Guwahati that his visit to Assam had been a real eye opener. He said the potential in Assam was enormous and the group was keen to participate in the agro-industry sector mainly the tea industry through value addition to existing products.

He also laid the foundation stone of a Rs250 crore five-star Taj Hoel in the city, the first facility of its kind in the northeast.

The business tycoons were taking part in the first meeting of the recently floated AIAB in Guwahati which was aimed at evaluating and approving an investment strategy for facilitating investment and creating a framework for monitoring progress on agreed objectives.

The day-long meeting was chaired by chief minister Tarun Gogoi and was attended among others by B M Khaitan, chairman Eveready Industries, Rakesh Mittal, vice chairman of the Bharti Group, V N Dhoot chairman of Videocon Group, Naina Lal Kidwai, CEO of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation India, O P Bhatt, chairman, State Bank Of India.