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New industrial policy is the need of the hour for the industrial development of the state

Priyanka Chakrabarty


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The Federation of Industry and Commerce of Northeastern Region (FINER) is the leading and oldest apex business association in the Northeast. Established in 1992 and as a member of the Federation of Indian Chambers and Industry (FICCI) it is headquartered in Guwahati. FINER has a membership strength of over over 400 members cutting across different sectors and ranging from large and mega categories to small and medium. It is a non-government and nonprofit industry-led and industry-managed organization.

Being the voice of the industry sector, FINER has been playing a very proactive role in influencing policy issues to strategizing on growth perspectives with all the State Governments of the Northeastern states, Central Government Ministries, and Government agencies.

Business Northeast gets an exclusive interview with the Assistant Director, Mayuri Bora of FINER to learn about the Chambers' new plans for the industrial development of the state.

Mayuri Bora, FINER

Please let us know the sectors FINER is looking into.

Mayuri Bora: We are a 30 years old organization. It is the oldest apex organization in India for the development of business and industries in the northeast region.

FINER is looking into Energy, Oil, and Gas Coal Non-Renewable, Information Technology, Agri and allied Plantation, Food Processing, Education, Health, Tourism, Media and Entertainment, Sports, Mines and Minerals, Food Processing, Education, Tourism, Handloom and Textiles, and Mines and Minerals. Other than that there are organizations associated with us like the Numaligarh Refinery Limited, Brahmaputra Cracker and Polymer Limited, Indian Oil, Oil India, and corporates like Patanjali, Dalmia, Coco-Cola, Star Cement.

What problems and challenges are the industries and businesses actually facing in Assam?
Mayuri Bora: There are no specific problems. However, in general, there are problems relating to a lack of budgeting support, the absence of a good industrial policy, problems with Goods and Services Tax refund, and problems with electricity.

We take up their problems and inform the concerned ministry.

What are FINER's current plans in hand?

Mayuri Bora: We will organize awareness programs for different ministries. Besides. We are looking forward to more start-up development and angel networking. They have opened a new chapter for women recently. They are working on developing a new industrial policy.

We visit different industrial parks ourselves and various states and visit their government offices. Like, we are helping Manipur by organizing an international conference so that people from various countries visit Manipur. We have delegates and speakers from Japan and Taiwan for this conference to be held on November 4th of this year.

Would you like to comment on the post-COVID business scenario of NE?
Mayuri Bora: It has been affected the most. There are industries that had come to the Northeastern region from outside the region. But due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they had to leave the region.

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Priyanka Chakrabarty