National Institute of Designing (NID) for Assam

GUWAHATI, Feb 21: The Central Government has sanctioned a National Institute of Designing (NID) for Asom. This was announced by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath during the inaugural function of Maniram Dewan Trade Centre in Guwahati today. “The NID has been sanctioned. We are now waiting for the State Government’s response,” Nath said, and added: “Intricate textile fabric and design institutes will help the local talent groom. The State Government had earlier proposed before the Centre for such a technology institute in the State.”

“Building adequate infrastructure is a greater challenge facing the country. Proper infrastructure helps unleash intellectual and entrepreneurial capabilities,” he said. Speaking on the tea industry, he said the sector has to take long-term measures to face the challenges posed by the global tea players.

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said the State has progressed in all spheres in spite of the problems of insurgency, bandhs etc. He said the trade centre will help not only Asom, but also the entire Northeast. “We have potential in handicraft, medicinal plants, food-processing, eco-tourism, tourism and other sectors. We have to develop all these sectors,” Gogoi added.

State Industry and Commerce Minister Pradyut Bordoloi said with the opening of the new centre, international participation in trade fairs in the city will get a boost. “Trade and commerce, service and construction sectors have registered robust growth since 2001. A society with the name — Assam Trade Promotion Organization (ATPO) — has been formed to run the trade centre,” he said, and added: “The ATPO will run the border trade centres also.”

The trade centre has been built with an investment of Rs 20.38 crore on 10 acres of land in phase 1. In the second phase, an international convention centre will be constructed.
Delivering the vote of thanks, Commissioner of Industry Ravi Kapoor said an exhibition each on tourism and plastic industry will be held in the trade centre by May this year.