DoNER Minister Jitendra Singh on Tuesday invited women entrepreneurs from across the country to invest in the northeast, and take the lead in developing the region as an industrial hub.
The unique advantage of any women's initiative was that it has a wider social and public impact and also because a woman holds stake for at least three generations -- her parents and in-laws, her husband and brothers, and her children, the minister said while launching the "Swayam" initiative of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) women's wing in Guwahati.
Jitendra Singh, who is also minister of state for PMO, personnel, public grievances, pensions, atomic energy and space, said the "Swayam" initiative has already been launched in Delhi and other places, resulting in successful engagement of women in big and small self-employed vocations.
The arrival of "Swayam" in Guwahati, he said, will open a new chapter in the growth of the northeast.
At the same time, it will also open new vistas of opportunity, not only for women but for the entire population of the eight northeastern states, he said.
"In the last few months, a number of new initiatives have been undertaken by the government of India to promote business, industry and consequential job avenues in the region," he said.
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Jitendra Singh spoke about the "Organic Farming Mission", being pursued in collaboration with the union agriculture ministry, which will not only generate business but also reinforce the identity of the region through its original products.
Similarly, he said, expansion of healthcare entrepreneurship in the region is also being worked out in a big way through private-public participation.
He said that in the health sector, some leading women entrepreneurs have come forward to set up establishments in the northeast.
Jitendra Singh said that in the contemporary society, time has come to seek not merely employment but long-term employability, and for this, the "Swayam" initiative holds the promise to go a long way.
"In addition, when we talk of 'Act East' policy to do business with the countries across the eastern borders, it is imperative to generate original growth products proximal to the eastern borders within northeast so that they get takers from across the borders," he added.