COVID-19: Assam keen to woo MNCs looking to move out of China

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COVID-19: Assam keen to woo MNCs looking to move out of China
Guwahati, May 6 () Multinational companies lookingto move out of China should consider Assam, with its abundantnatural resources, strategic location and robust industrialinfrastructure, as their destination for setting up productionfacilities in India, state Industries Minister Chandra MohanPatowary said on Wednesday.

"Many American, Japanese and Korean companies arecontemplating to shift their production facilities from Chinato India and we hope to woo these firms to set up productionfacilities in Assam," Patowary told reporters here.

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The state government has urged the Department forPromotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), InvestIndia, the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), the US-India Business Council and the US Chamber of Commerce toadvise the firms in this regard, he said.

The Industries and Commerce Department has engaged arenowned firm to assess the impact of the lockdown on theindustrial sector in Assam and suggest a policy framework toattract industries that are planning to move out of China,Patowary said.

The department is also in touch with the DPIIT and theJETRO for setting up a Japanese industrial township in Assamto attract investment of industries based in the East Asiancountry, he said.

A special cell has been set up at the stategovernment's 'Assam Startup -- The Nest' incubator to guideand mentor enterprising youths returning to Assam fromdifferent states, the minister said.

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"Interested youths registering with the digitalplatform will be mentored at IIM, Calcutta. Financial grant ofup to Rs 50 lakh will be given to selected startups," he said.

The Industries and Commerce Department will also signan MoU with the Indian chapter of The Indus Entrepreneurs(TiE), Silicon Valley (USA) to leverage the startups in Assamso that they can have global access to the startup ecosystem,the minister said.

He said the department will also organise a conclaveon startups in partnership with Microsoft after the lockdownis lifted.

"The potential of pharmaceutical companies has beenrealised during the COVID-19 outbreak. The Union Ministry ofChemicals and Fertilizers has been requested to support theAssam government in setting up a pharma park in the state," hesaid.

The state government had on Tuesday issued revisedguidelines allowing all industries with supply chain torestart operation without the need for special permission.

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It also allowed warehouses and godowns to operate,vehicles to ferry goods and construction activities torecommence.

However, safety norms such as wearing masks,maintaining social distancing and sanitising vehicles andfactory premises have to be ensured.

A total of 820 industrial units with 28,027 workersoperated in the state on Wednesday, the minister said.

Patowary also asked the environment and forest, labourand urban development departments to extend the validity oftrade licences, permissions and clearances issued toindustries and business establishments from March 31 to June30. DGACD ACD
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