Chief Minister of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma Attended as the 27th Chief Guest on Tuesday Foundation Day Festival of North Eastern Development Finance Corporation at the headquarters of Public Financial Institution located in Guwahati.
In this program the Chief Minister launched “NeDFI Micro Lending Scheme” with an aim to help small enterprises and entrepreneurs of the North Eastern Region. Apart from this, the Chief Minister also launched the “NEDFI Haat” website, a mobile-based application named “Advancing Northeast” – a joint initiative between NEDFI and NEDFI. North Eastern Council (NEC).
Sarma also inaugurated the training program being conducted by NEDFI for the candidates of “Agniveer” recruitment scheme and distributed local weaver-woven, handloom-made uniforms to the school students.
Sarma also announced a contribution of Rs 100 crore by the state government for the “Micro Loan Scheme” launched today. In addition, the Chief Minister handed over a check of Rs 7.89 crore on behalf of NEDFI to be distributed among 669 borrowers under the scheme.
The Chief Minister congratulated the financial institution providing assistance to micro, small, medium and large enterprises for completing 27 years of glorious existence for setting up industrial infrastructure projects in the region.
“NEDFI is playing a vital role in empowering our region and its people. I hope that NeDFI Micro Lending Scheme The loan size of up to Rs 2 lakh per beneficiary will help micro entrepreneurs to establish and expand their economic activities in Assam and other parts of the Northeast. Take advantage of the scheme and lead a life of self-reliance and independence and contribute to the development of the society. ,
Sarma said that the present government at the Center and in the state has a clear agenda to empower the people of the region, especially the youth, through entrepreneurship. The Chief Minister said that this would provide financial freedom and employment opportunities to the youth of the area. Sarma also said that the Assam government has well-crafted plans and policies to promote start-up environment, cluster development and enterprise development in the state.
The Chief Minister said: “This (website) will be a very powerful platform to connect the artisans and weavers with the market. I am happy to know that with the launch of this website, our products will now be easily available across the country as well as abroad. He further added: “This will help increase NeDFI’s presence while crossing all boundaries and limits.”
The Chief Minister also spoke of the state government’s one district-one product agenda, which, if fully implemented, he said would financially benefit hundreds of thousands of rural people in the hinterland of the state.