The first of the four B20 conferences of the G20 dialogue forum for the global business community in Northeast India concluded on Sunday in Imphal, Manipur. Over 100 delegates from 23 countries participated in the three-day Imphal event, the Union Commerce and Industry Ministry, said in a statement.

According to the ministry, the three-day meeting discussed opportunities for multilateral business partnership in Information and Communications Technology (ICT), tourism, healthcare and handlooms.

On day one of the event, representatives of G20 and other countries also addressed the plenary session. On day two,  the delegates were on an excursion to some historically significant and famous tourist spots of Manipur, including the INA Memorial complex and Loktak Lake, one of the largest freshwater lakes in South Asia.

On Sunday, before concluding the three-day meeting, the delegates visited the iconic all-women-run market "Ima Keithel" and the historic Kangla Fort.

The Imphal event was the first B20 conferences part of India's G20 presidency and Aizawl in Mizoram will host the second B20 conference from March 1 to 3, the next one will be in Sikkim's capital Gangtok from March 15 to 17, while the fourth conference will be in Kohima in Nagaland from April 4 to 6.

The events aim to showcase the potential that the northeast region offers for global and local investors, as well as highlight opportunities for multilateral business partnerships in industry sectors where the northeastern states have core strengths.

The Business 20 or B20 is a group that represents the private sector within the Group of 20 (G20) Forum. This organisation was created to provide a platform for the business community to engage with the G20 and to offer recommendations on policies that can support global economic growth and development.

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