“US investors and companies should look to invest in Sikkim in sectors such as tourism, horticulture, agriculture, livestock products and agro-based sectors.”
— Lok Nath Sharma, Sikkim’s Minister of Agriculture and Horticulture, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Departments
PRAVASISAMWAD.COM
Lok Nath Sharma, Sikkim’s Minister of Agriculture and Horticulture, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Departments, who was on a visit to the US recently said that “US investors and companies should look to invest in Sikkim in sectors such as tourism, horticulture, agriculture, livestock products and agro-based sectors”.
Sharma said that he had met representatives from tourism, agriculture and other sectors in the US and they had expressed their interest to explore business and investment opportunities provided by the Sikkim government. Sikkim, under the leadership of Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, was focussed on boosting the economic and overall development of farmers and the rural population of the state. “We assure that we will give all facilities to investors who will come to Sikkim to invest, including liaising, single-window clearance in sectors such as livestock and tourism,” Sharma said.
The Sikkim government is focussing on developing a film city in the state. Sikkim was awarded the ‘Most Film Friendly State’ of the country at the 67th National Film Awards last year
Sharma’s visit had a key agenda: Secure the NOP (National Organic Programme) accreditation certificate from the United States Department of Agriculture that would ensure that organic products from Sikkim could be sold in foreign markets The Sikkim government said, in a statement, that accreditation for the NOP from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) would immensely help the Sikkim State Organic Certification Agency (SSOCA) to secure business opportunities as a certifying body.
Earlier, India’s Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), had provided accreditation to certifying bodies for NOP standards. As that authority had been withdrawn, the USDA now issues accreditation to certifying bodies directly.
Sikkim is one of the top producers of large cardamom, ginger and turmeric. The US provides a very big market for Sikkim’s high-quality organic products and this would benefit the state’s farmers directly.
With a view to boosting tourism and giving a fillip to job creation, the Sikkim government is focussing on developing a film city in the state. Sikkim was awarded the ‘Most Film Friendly State’ of the country at the 67th National Film Awards last year.
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