The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) has identified lack of skilled manpower, high unemployment and land prices are other major hurdles in the Northeastern region, and prescribed infrastructure to support and ensure significant investments and developmental aids as also to create large number of jobs. A report on the region, prepared by ASSOCHAM which was released by its secretary general DS Rawat here on the occasion of inauguration of its regional headquarters in the Assam capital, also said that a key constraint to Northeast’s economic growth has been poor infrastructure and limited connectivity (roads, telecommunications and power supply), both within the region as well as with the rest of the country. Pointing particularly at Assam, the report said it being the largest state in the region, alone had 2.2 million unemployed youth. “Downstream ancillary industries could generate around 1,50,000 jobs, but the government of Assam doesn’t have huge land bank to set up large industries and cannot acquire land by displacing small farmers,” it said. Rawat said Assocham would soon set up a training institute in the Northeast for entrepreneurs training, food processing skill development and facilitating role for making finances available and connecting marketing agencies. “We will primarily focus on employment generation, skill development and organic promotion products to enhance income of farmers,” he said.
