Shri Amit Shah ji, Hon'ble Union Home Minister, Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia ji, Hon'ble DoNER Minister, Dr. Sukanta Majumdar ji, Hon'ble Minister of State for DoNER, Hon'ble Governors, Chief Ministers, NEC Members and Officials.

It is my privilege to represent the people of Mizoram in this 72nd Plenary of the North Eastern Council.

I begin by expressing my gratitude to Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji for his noble vision to transform North East India into 'Ashtalakshmi of India'.

In the recently concluded 'Ashtalakhsmi Mahotsav', Hon'ble Prime Minister affirmed that "North East is not just a region, it is an integral part of India's growth story". Recognizing the strategic vision under Act East Policy, we must identify advantages of all the north east states, in terms of export-oriented manufacturing and services towards the growing economies.

I appreciate Ministry of DoNER for leveraging investment in the region. Hon'ble Minister himself is leading these various initiatives.

In order to promote investment, Mizoram has constituted inter-departmental Investment Promotion Cell (IPC). We are currently engaged with investors in the sectors of Tourism & Hospitality and Skill Development.

There are still 118 villages in Mizoram which are not connected by all weather road. These could not be taken up under PMGSY as their habitations are less than the norms prescribed by the Guidelines.

The National Mission on Edible Oils - Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) has been implemented in Mizoram since 2021. However, we could not achieve the area expansion target fixed by the Central Government due to Non availability of sufficient seedlings and poor agriculture farm road.

I believe that North East has an edge in organic farming, as the region is largely organic by default. A strong market structure is required in consultation with Department of Commerce, Government of India or APEDA. I propose that the Ministry or NEC can establish an organic certification agency for the whole north east.

Ministry of DoNER envisages the 'North East Economic Corridor', identifying 24 Growth Centres and 20 Border Centres. I request the Ministry to look into the feasibility of integrating cross from markets and attracting investment partners from neighbouring countries.

The significant role of vocational education in Mizoram, particularly in the context of Industry 4.0 and National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020), needs to be highlighted. Ministry of DoNER / NEC may create state-of-the-art Skill Development Centre in the region. Moreover, the State Government's Industrial Training Institutes can be better equipped to bridge the employable skill gap for various trades.

I would also like to raise the need for establishing a common exhibition centre in metropolitan cities, to showcase the rich cultural related products of handloom and handicrafts, and organic agricultural produces.

I take this opportunity to express my appreciation to the Ministry of DoNER and NEC for preparing North East Region Vision 2047 document for achieving the aspiration of the people of the North East India.

Thank You

JAI HIND