In what could be a major boost for the state’s economy and export, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Friday said that the state government has identified 68 sub-divisions of the state as an initiative for one product one sub-division for export purposes.
Addressing the ‘Stakeholders Consultations Meet under District as Export Hubs Scheme’ at the Sangai Hall, Hotel Imphal, Biren said that every sub-division will have a product of its own.
The chief minister stated that the BJP-led government had introduced the Meeyamgi Numit and Hill Leader’s Day to interact with the general public and to understand the grievances at the ground level.
Biren expressed his gratitude to the bureaucrats and officials for reaching out to the public and delivering the benefits at doorsteps.
“If such interactions and door to door services continue more smoothly, then, within the next five years, we can bring a change in the state,” Biren said.
Emphasising the potential of Manipur, Biren said that the state has a huge production capacity of turmeric, pineapple, ginger, etc. which are in high demand outside the state.
The state had recently exported pineapple and 10 tonnes of turmeric powder to Europe, he said.
Biren further said that workings of Women Self Help Groups in the state have improved. Banks have witnessed an improvement in bank loan repayment over the past few years and that rural economy in the state has also improved, he added.
Also, pointing out that the state has been witnessing a gradual increase of COVID positive cases over the past few days, Biren urged the people to get vaccinated with COVID vaccine.
He also highlighted the state government’s plans for developing infrastructure in the state such as under construction Olympic Park, setting up of a 5-star status hotel at the Old High Court site and night landing facility at the Imphal Airport.
Textiles, Commerce and Industry Minister Nemcha Kipgen said that it is a great privilege for Manipur, particularly Imphal East district, as the district has been identified among 75 districts of India under ‘district as export hub initiative’.
The scheme is aimed at export promotion, manufacturing and employment generation at the grassroot level and making India an export powerhouse, thereby contributing to the Atmanirbhar Bharat mission, to implement the vision of PM Modi’s vision of Made in India and being vocal for locals, she said.
She said the products identified for Imphal East district, Chakhao or black rice, pineapple and diversified handloom and handicraft, are the most potential products not only for Imphal East but for the whole of Manipur.
The minister said that her department will extend all possible means for the successful implementation of the scheme, adding that the Nilakuthi Food Park, which already exists in the district, may be at the service of the scheme.
She further said that an industrial estate at Moirang Kampu Sajeb, which has already been approved and construction works are to begin soon, may also be accommodated for the infrastructure needed for the implementation of the scheme.
Commissioner TCI, PK Jha, said that on a pilot basis, 75 districts from all over the country have been identified as export hubs out of which, Imphal East district of Manipur has been identified. He said that Women Self Help Groups will play an important role and that the MSRLM is also on board for the centrally sponsored scheme.
PK Jha said that the concepts of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Vocal for Local are the driving ideas behind the scheme and that it will give a major boost in developing districts as manufacturing hubs and to generate local employment and also to bring the state to the export map of the world.
The ‘Stakeholders Consultations Meet under district as export hubs scheme’ was organised by District Administration of Imphal East in association with directorate general of foreign trade, agricultural processed food products export development authority, Manipur Organic Mission Agency, Federation of Indian Export Organisation.
It was also attended by deputy commissioner Imphal East, Kh Diana Devi; joint DGFT, Kolkata Amit Sharma officials, stakeholders, among others.
