Guwahati: President Ramnath Kovind said that efforts are needed to place the North East states at par with the industrially developed states so that more jobs are created here.

"Recognizing the need, the Government is working with the states to improve the ease of doing business parameters and to facilitate the flow of private investments into the North East. These efforts are starting to bear fruits. I am told that global leaders in electronics and IT manufacturing are expected to set up their facilities here, " the President said while speaking at the valedictory function of the Northeast Festival organized as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.

"When climate change has emerged as the greatest challenge before humankind, careful planning would be needed in the
years to come to preserve the rich ecological heritage of the region," Kovind said. He said that development choices for the region must therefore integrate with strategies on natural resource management, green industrial and infrastructure development, and sustainable consumption patterns.

"Twenty-five years later, when we will celebrate the centenary year of freedom, North East will gain further momentum on its journey to development. The geography of the North East states will one day pave the way for creating a new glorious history of our country, he opined.

Himanta Biswa Sarma, while speaking on the occasion, paid 1 homage to freedom fighters from Assam who displayed incomparable contributions during the freedom struggle.