Agartala, July 9: Union Ministers Piyush Goyal and Jyotiraditya M. Scindia on Thursday projected Tripura as one of India’s most promising investment destinations, highlighting its strategic location, improving connectivity, rich natural resources, and investor-friendly policies during the inaugural session of the Destination Tripura Business Conclave 2026.
The two-day conclave, inaugurated at the International Fair Ground, Hapania, was attended by Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha, members of the state cabinet, senior officials, diplomats, industry leaders, and business delegates from India and abroad. Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Jyotiraditya M. Scindia addressed the gathering virtually.
Describing the Northeast as vital to India’s economic growth and national security, Goyal said the region has witnessed unprecedented development over the past decade under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. He pointed out that Tripura’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) had increased from ₹19,200 crore in 2011-12 to nearly ₹90,000 crore in 2024-25, reflecting the impact of sustained infrastructure development and policy support.
Recalling the Prime Minister’s vision of EAST—Empower, Act, Strengthen and Transform, Goyal said the Northeast, recognised as the country’s “Ashtalakshmi”, holds immense strategic and economic importance. He stressed that Tripura’s industrial growth would contribute not only to the state’s prosperity but also to strengthening India’s eastern frontier.
Addressing the conclave, Scindia said the Act East Policy has transformed the Northeast from India’s frontier into a gateway to Southeast Asia, creating new opportunities for trade, investment, and regional connectivity. He described Agartala as an emerging commercial gateway with access to the ASEAN market of over 670 million people.
Highlighting Tripura’s strengths, Scindia said the state offers abundant natural gas, bamboo, agarwood, rubber, tea, spices, horticultural products, a skilled workforce, robust infrastructure, and India’s third International Internet Gateway. He also underlined investment opportunities in manufacturing, logistics, food processing, exports, and technology-driven industries.
The Union Minister cited key connectivity projects, including the Maitri Setu, Sabroom Special Economic Zone, Integrated Check Post, India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway, and Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project, as game changers for the state’s economy.
Inviting industry leaders to partner in Tripura’s growth story, Scindia said the state’s transformation from a landlocked region into a gateway to the Bay of Bengal reflects the broader development of the Northeast. He reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to making the Ashtalakshmi states major contributors to India’s next phase of economic growth.
