NE MSMEs Push for Retrospective Benefits Under UNNATI 2024

New Delhi, Dec 11 (KNN) In a significant gathering of policymakers and industry leaders, the Northeast Region (NER) Dialogue held in New Delhi highlighted the critical challenges and opportunities facing the region's economic landscape.

The event, which brought together key government officials and industry representatives, focused on addressing crucial developmental strategies for Northeast India.

Ministers Kiren Rijiju (Parliamentary Affairs & Minority Affairs), Sarbananda Sonowal (Ports, Shipping & Waterways), and Pabitra Margherita (External Affairs & Textiles) emphasised the strategic vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for transforming the Northeast.

The ministers underscored the region's potential, referring to the Northeast as 'Ashta Lakshmi' and reaffirming the government's commitment to achieving a 'Viksit Northeast' within a 'Viksit Bharat' framework.

The Federation of Industry and Commerce of Northeast Region (FINER) brought critical attention to challenges facing Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the region.

Sandeep Khaitan, Director, FINER, highlighted a significant policy implementation issue affecting approximately 90-100 MSMEs.

These units, which continued investments during the policy transition between the North East Industrial Development Scheme (NEIDS) 2017 and the Uttar Poorva Transformative Industrialisation Scheme (UNNATI) 2024, found themselves unexpectedly excluded from the new scheme's benefits.

Khaitan advocated for retrospective coverage of these MSMEs under UNNATI 2024 and urged an extension of the scheme's registration window.

The organisation emphasised the need for smoother policy transitions and requested dedicated parliamentary attention to Northeast-specific issues.

FINER President Bajrang Lohia further stressed the importance of collaborative efforts among policymakers, industry stakeholders, and regional representatives.

The dialogue also featured comprehensive presentations from various key organisations.

The Assam Government's Industry Department showcased state-level investment opportunities and infrastructure developments.

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) provided insights into UNNATI's potential impact, while the North Eastern Development Finance Corporation (NEDFI) and FINER shared critical data and analysis of the region's investment climate.

Concluding the event, participants demonstrated a unified commitment to driving economic growth, addressing regional disparities, and leveraging the Northeast's unique strategic advantages.

The NER Dialogue emerged as a pivotal platform for discussing and strategising the region's sustained socio-economic progress.

(KNN Bureau)