500 mn USD investment for Manipur: Biren

A United States of America based company assured to invest 500 million US dollars in the tourism sector in Manipur, said Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh on Saturday.
He was assured of the investment by delegates of US taking part in the planetary session of the B20 meeting held in Imphal on Friday, Singh told reporters on the side-lines of a polo exhibition match at Marjing Polo Ground in Imphal as a part of the Imphal event of the G20 today.
The chief minister took part in the government-business session of the planetary session held at City Convention Centre yesterday evening after the inaugural session of the B20 conference held at the same venue. He, however, did not give further details of the investment offer, but said it was a positive outcome of the conference. Delegates of Argentina and Peru also expressed their desire to employ female nurses from the state in healthcare centres in their respective countries on learning that a good number of female nurses from Manipur were currently working in Japan.
Argentina also expressed their interest in the development of sports especially football in the state, Singh informed.
The state welcomed the investment offers from the US based company as well the interest of Argentina and Peru, he said adding that the state was expecting investments from other countries of the G20. The three-day Imphal event of the Business 20 (B20) of the G20 dialogue forum for the global business community commenced on Friday.
Over 100 delegates from 23 countries are participating in the conference.
Today, delegates enjoyed an excursion organized by the state government to some historically significant and famous tourist spots.
The delegates visited the Marjing Polo Complex located in Imphal East district where an iconic statue of polo player mounted on a horse statue has been erected. They were accorded a warm reception by the locals of the area.
The world’s tallest statue of a polo player was built to commemorate the game of “modern polo” originating from Manipur.
The delegation also witnessed an exhibition polo match at the newly developed polo ground in the Complex along with a demonstration of ‘Arambai’ (iron tipped feathered weapons used by Manipuri warriors).
One of the delegates from Bhutan,Sonam Phuntsho said that they were mesmerized by the hospitality of the state and look forward to exploring investment avenues. The delegates from 23 nations consisting of 26 overseas business delegates and 24 diplomats also visited the Indian National Army Headquarters located at Moirang in Bishnupur district where they were greeted with flowers and dances by a large number of people showing the hospitable nature of the State.
The Indian National Army (INA) headquarters complex that stands today, embodies the commitment of the government of Manipur to give fitting tribute to the brave hearts of INA under Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
The complex symbolizes the spirit and the role played by the Indian National Army in India’s Freedom Movement. It was on 14th April 1944, that the flag of the INA, carrying yellow, white and green stripes with the image of springing tiger in the middle, was for the second time hoisted here on Indian soil at Moirang, about 45 kilometres from Imphal, the capital of Manipur.
The old house standing in the complex was used by the INA as its office.
Later, the delegates visited the Loktak Lake, where they enjoyed a boat ride. They also planted trees at the Sangai Ethnic Park and witnessed traditional attire and dances of different communities of the state.
The delegates will visit Ema Market,the largest all women market in Asia and the historical Kangla Fort before leaving Imphal tomorrow.