Commerce & Industries Minister Tshering T Bhutia attends High-Level NER Task Force Meet
Gangtok, August 7:
Minister for Commerce & Industries Department, Government of Sikkim, Mr Tshering T Bhutia, attended the 1st Meeting of the High-Level Task Force on Logistics Cost, Infrastructure, and Connectivity in the North Eastern Region (NER) on Wednesday (6th August) via video conference.
Mr Tshering T Bhutia attended the meeting on behalf of the State Government, representing the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Sikkim, Mr. Prem Singh Tamang, who was unable to attend due to prior commitments.
The meeting was chaired by Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, who also serves as the Convener of the Task Force.
Other key participants included Union Minister for DoNER Mr Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Mr Pema Khandu and other senior officials from the NER.
The meeting aimed to foster regional collaboration for faster and inclusive development across the Northeast, focusing on improving logistics, enhancing connectivity, and promoting trade and investment.
During the deliberations, Minister Tshering T Bhutia highlighted Sikkim's potential in international trade and tourism, and reiterated the state government's commitment to industrial growth, in line with the vision of the Hon’ble Chief Minister. He highlighted the state's conducive environment for industrial growth and urged the Ministry of DoNER to prioritize road and air connectivity projects in Sikkim to boost trade and tourism.
The Minister also stressed the need for adequate infrastructure development, particularly in transport and digital networks, to better integrate Sikkim with other Northeastern states and the broader Indian economy.
The Minister was joined by Chief Secretary Mr Ravindra Telang, Secretary-Commerce & Industries Department Ms Karma D. Youtso, and Joint Secretary Mr Gopal Chettri.
The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by the Chief Secretary of Assam.