Mail News Service
Imphal, June 13 : Governor, Gurbhachan Jagat today gave the Governor’s Best Entrepreneur’s Award and other AMEA Outstanding Awards.
He said, “Entrepreneur development is an important key to economic development of a country. Entrepreneurs not only provide self employment but also provide job opportunities for others. Unemployment among the youth and the resulting sense of frustration is a central problem in the country especially in the North East including Manipur where the opportunities are limited. Serious efforts have been made to mitigate the unemployment problems in this region but the initiatives will take time to show any tangible results on the ground. There is a need for innovative and participatory approach to attract experts in this field.
No State can develop without outstanding contributions by the entrepreneurs, who are, in reality, the captains of the industrial sector. He made a reference to a meaningful comment by the Political Agent of Manipur long back in 1879 on the excellence of Manipuri manufacture: “The more I see them, the more I am impressed with the excellence of the Manipur cotton manufacturers, which are all of first-rate quality and very cheap, when their weight is considered”. (E W. Dun: Gazetteer of Manipur P 62/63) That Manipur State was not inferior to any other States at that time is substantiated by the fact that in 1881 Manipur was privileged with industrial class of 3042 duly aided by the commercial class of 15,433 of which 96.24 percent was accounted for by females. This industrial tradition is still alive. What is required is the development of institutional mechanisms to groom, enrich the industrial products to be globally competitive.
It was after 1990s that Manipur had to be fully prepared to meet the development changes following national policy of liberalization.
The industrial policy of 1996 was prepared to create a new environment and provide policy support. The inauguration of the Indo-Myanmar Border Trade on 12th April, 1995 underlined a new message of urgency for a structural change of State Economy.
All these expectations cannot be materialized in the absence of the determined, dedicated and devoted section of industrial entrepreneurs.
Keeping this background in view, the Governor’s Running Trophy for the best adjudged entrepreneur was instituted by , General K.V. Krishna Rao(Retd.). It was, indeed,,, an example of respect and regard for entrepreneurial spirit. The industrial entrepreneurs are, in fact, the agents of change. We have to admire and honour them.
Time has come for the Department of Commerce and Industries to prepare a new roadmap for industrializing Manipur through a sound policy of structured, Skill and Entrepreneurship Development.
A New Industrial Policy of Manipur capturing the realities in all perspectives could be a base for a new industrial intervention. We can think of the Manipur Industrial Vision, 2025 in compliance with the mandate of Look East Policy of India.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/time-to-prepare-roadmad-to-industrialise-manipur-governor/
