Revise NEIIPP to boost MSME segment: NE states

"While NEIIPP has been successful since its formulation in 2007, there are certain constraints for the states in the North East in bringing big industries to the region as we cannot provide them land for setting up units as per their specifications," Assam Commerce and Industry Minister Pradyut Bordoloi said here today.

"So the thrust of the policy should be tuned in such a way that MSME sector get a boost. So the North Eastern states request that the NEIIPP should be revised to achieve such a target," he added.

Bordoloi was briefing reporters after a meeting of ministers and officials of the Commerce and Industry departments of the North Eastern states and business chambers held here. The meeting was held to review the performance of the NEIIPP during last five years.

In the meeting, the states also demanded that interest subsidy for setting up industries in the region should be enhanced to 7 per cent, from the current 3 per cent, to tide over the high interest rate regime.

"All the eight states, including Sikkim, have decided that they will put in place a system of internal appraisal to further streamline the NEIIPP," he said. MORE