New Delhi, Jan. 18 (ANI): The strategically located north-eastern region has an abundance of natural resources and skilled manpower to fullfil the requirements of potential investors. To attract investment to the area, the 8th Northeast Business Summit was held recently in New Delhi.

The meet organized by the Indian Chamber of Commerce in association with the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), sent an open invitation to investors to tap the potential of the northeast.

" We are having continuous dialogue with the prospective investors and trying them to attract to invest in the northeastern region. Some of them are going but not to the desired level. We want more and more people to go to the northeast region and invest," said Paban Singh Ghatowar, Union Minister, Ministry of DoNER.

"We really mean business. We want peace and there has been peace over the past 15 years," said Nagaland Governor Nikhil Kumar.

Development of local resources, investor friendly governance and seamless economic integration with the rest of the country makes northeast a perfect international trading hub. India is already projecting the region as a gateway to South East Asia.

The two-day summit also saw the participation from Myanmar and Bangladesh.

" If we grow north-east will grow! So the three growth rates, we now not look at the national growth rate but at the sub-regional growth rate. So, if Bangladesh grows to 8 per cent, northeast will grow a couple of points. If India grows we will grow more. We have to square this circle this growth rates," said Tariq Ahmed Karim, Ambassador of Bangladesh in India.

"We are helping Bangladesh to build a multi model facility at Ashuganj which will help Tripura very much. We are also helping Bangladesh financially for trudging some of the routes which are very important for India and for Bangladesh. And we are in regular touch with the Bangladesh authorities so that it's a mutually beneficial and win-win situation for both countries, added Jayashree Mukherjee vice chairperson, IWAI, Ministry of Shipping.

The northeastern states account for 38 per cent of the hydro-power potential of the country, and they also have abundant natural gas, coal and oil reserves.

The region is the world's largest tea growing zone. And, 79.64 per cent literacy rate in the area truly makes it an attractive place for setting up businesses. (ANI)