Gangtok : Sikkim, hosted the Business 20 (B20) conference on March 20, with the theme "Opportunities for Multilateral Business Partnerships in Tourism, Hospitality, Pharmaceuticals and Organic Farming." The inaugural session was attended by Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, who warmly welcomed the distinguished B20 delegates from various G20 nations to the Green State of India.

The B20 is a parallel Group 20 event, which is the official dialogue forum with the global business community. The B20 Summit in the capital witnessed the convergence of a host of delegates from 26 nations, including over 52 overseas and 50 Indian representatives, along with representatives of the state government and local business participants.

In his address, Chief Minister Tamang highlighted the key sectors for potential investment partnerships in Sikkim, such as organic farming, pharmaceuticals, waste management, food processing, handicraft and cottage industries, infrastructure, real estate, fashion designing, films, and textile designs. He stressed the need for value additions and processing facilities within the state and creating an organic niche in cardamom, ginger, turmeric, chillies, buckwheat, millets, tea, and traditional medicinal herbs among others.

The Chief Minister sought the support of the delegates in investing in these areas to consolidate and sustain organic farming and spread the concept of this good initiative to other regions of India and abroad. He emphasized the need for green technology, market connectivity for marginal farmers, and building capacities among the new generation of farmers to train them on newer organic farming methods.

Tamang also spoke about the investment potential in the pharmaceutical sector of the state, stating that Sikkim has over 55 pharmaceutical units that represent some of the most widely known companies in India. The state government plans to commercially establish horizontal and vertical integration of rich traditional medicinal systems with the global market. Investing in the naturopathy business would do wonders for India and the international community.

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