Assam grants industry status to its tourism sector

The Assam cabinet has approved the proposal for grant of industry status to the tourism sector in the state, to boost investments and generate employment. State tourism minister Jayanta Mallabaruah said with the industry status, fresh investments in tourism infrastructure, permanent in nature, will contribute towards rapid employment generation, public-private partnership and development.

With the grant, restaurants, cafeterias, health clubs, spas and wellness centers, among others, are eligible for incentives under the industrial policy. This move will further encourage and boost private investment in the above areas of the tourism sector.

The newly-implemented policy aims for sustainable and environmentally friendly investment besides capital formation and the creation of gainful employment. The ministry also said the infrastructure can be developed through Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode, which will contribute to the overall development of the region.