The Government of Meghalaya will host the North East India Infrastructure Summit on June 15 and 16 at the Lariti Performing Centre in Shillong.
The two-day event has been envisioned as a regional investment and infrastructure platform dedicated to the eight North Eastern states. It aims to bring all the states of the region together under one roof to promote economic growth, strengthen cooperation and align development priorities.
To ensure broad participation, the Chief Minister of Meghalaya has personally written to all Chief Ministers of the North Eastern states and several Union Ministers.
Invitations have also been sent to Chief Secretaries of the region and Union Secretaries of relevant ministries.
The outreach has already received a substantial number of confirmations, setting the stage for a high-level gathering of policymakers, industry leaders and investors.
According to Commissioner and Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Sanjay Goyal, the summit is a first-of-its-kind initiative designed specifically for the North East and reflects the region’s growing readiness to attract large-scale investments.
The summit will focus on sectors considered critical to the region’s future growth. These include connectivity, tourism, logistics, aviation, digital infrastructure, food processing and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) investments.
The objective is to help the North Eastern states realise their economic potential and perform on par with other advanced states in the country.
More than 800 delegates from different industries are expected to participate in the summit. Organisers have planned eight to nine specialised sessions covering the major focus sectors.
These sessions will provide a platform for detailed discussions on opportunities, challenges and investment prospects across the region.
The summit will also feature dedicated exhibition spaces where private sector companies can showcase technologies and innovative solutions suited to the North East.
At the same time, Union Ministries will set up pavilions highlighting key developmental initiatives and projects being implemented across the region.
A major goal of the event is to position the North Eastern states as attractive destinations for both national and international investment.
The summit will showcase collaborative efforts between the Centre and the states while also creating space for discussions on existing gaps and challenges. It is intended to bring together the perspectives of industry, state governments and central ministries.
As a common platform, the summit will facilitate Business-to-Government (B2G), Business-to-Business (B2B) and Government-to-Government (G2G) interactions.
Structured roundtable discussions will allow industry representatives to directly engage with government ministries. Likewise, ministries will gain a clearer understanding of industry requirements and expectations.
Organisers believe these deliberations will generate actionable recommendations for the Union Government and improve investment facilitation across the North East.
The discussions are also expected to result in clearer commitments and mutual understanding regarding the support available to private investors.
Meghalaya has introduced several progressive policies in recent years to encourage investments, strengthen collaborations and create a roadmap for future economic growth.
The summit will provide stakeholders with an opportunity to understand the region’s vast potential and the collective efforts being undertaken to advance development across the North East.
The event is being organised in partnership with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) in the North Eastern Region and its Delhi-based think tank partner, Build India.
Both organisations have been working extensively to bring leading industry players from across the country onto a single platform.
Special emphasis will be placed on six priority sectors identified for the summit. Invitations have been extended to numerous business houses already operating in the North East, many of which have not previously had the opportunity to engage with all the regional states at a single venue.
Shillong has been chosen as the host city because of Meghalaya’s strategic location and connectivity within the region.
Investors interested in establishing industries in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and other North Eastern states are being encouraged to attend.
Beyond understanding government procedures, participants will have the opportunity to gain insights into the region’s geography, people and business environment.
Tourism will form another major pillar of discussion during the summit.
With tourism emerging as a key economic driver across the North East, deliberations will focus on attracting premium brands and promoting sustainable tourism models that can balance economic growth with environmental protection.
While individual states have long pursued their own investment promotion initiatives, this summit marks the first large-scale platform bringing all North Eastern governments together.
Since many infrastructure and investment challenges are shared across the region, the event will enable governments and industry stakeholders to collectively explore solutions and opportunities.
The sessions have been carefully designed to address longstanding concerns, answer industry queries and provide clarity to investors seeking to undertake meaningful projects in Meghalaya and the wider North East.
By encouraging open dialogue and collaboration, the summit aims to strengthen the region’s position as an emerging destination for infrastructure development and investment.
