"A total of 336 investment proposals amounting to Rs 38,000 crore has been received by the North Eastern states in last five years from the private sector under the North East Industrial and Investment Promotion Policy (NEIIPP).
"Of the total, 70 per cent has come to fruition and work has started in those projects," Assam Commerce and Industry Minister Pradyut Bordoloi said here today.
The largest chunk of proposals has come to Assam, totalling Rs 21,152 crore, he added.
"This has resulted in direct employment to 72,000 people during past five years, including 35,447 in Assam," the minister said, briefing the media after a meeting of commerce and industry ministers and officials of the North Eastern states, including Sikkim, held here.
Bordoloi said the major industry which has attracted investment is cement where 50 proposals have been received by states in the region, including 28 by Assam.
"Sikkim has turned into a hub for the pharmaceutical sector in the country. The state alone has received 35 investment proposals in the sector," he said.
Among other industries, there were 37 proposals to set up power plants, 35 investments proposals for hotels and resorts, 16 for plastic-based industries and 10 for healthcare and hospitals.
"Altogther private sector firms have expressed interest in 81 sectors in the North East during past five years," Bordoloi added.
