Atmanirbhar Bharat will get accomplishment through Atmanirbhar Assam: Sarbananda Sonowal

GUWAHATI: The Assam government has sanctioned a credit to the tune of Rs 1,648.218 crore for the MSME sector to bail them out during the current sluggish economy owing to the coronavirus-induced lockdown.
Chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Monday said realising the role of MSME sector in the economy of the state, all the general managers of district industries and commerce centres have been asked to create awareness about the stimulus package announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and do the necessary handholding between the MSME and banks to enable the them to reap benefits of the scheme.
“Atmanirbhar Bharat will be fulfilled only when Assam becomes self-sufficient. Through Act East Policy, the youths of the state have got an opportunity to utilise their prowess and develop Assam as an epicentre of trade and business activities. The agricultural produce of Assam have gained due respect not only in Southeast Asian countries but also across the world,” he added.
The chief minister gave the example of Hemoprabha Deka, a woman entrepreneur from Darrang, who, during the lockdown period, was able to transport 40,000 LPG cylinders to like Bhutan. Sonowal also thanked the bankers for their help, saying coordination among the government, banks and industries is required for the growth of the state.
Speaking on the occasion, industry and commerce minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said industries contribute 39% of the state’s GDP. “For the development of industrial landscape of the state, the government has announced an industrial corridor from Amingaon to Tihu. For the growth of commerce and industries, MSME ordinance has been brought in which will be passed by the State Assembly,” Patowary added. He also spoke about different steps that the government has taken for development of the industrial sector across the state.