Hill industry meet

Vivek Chhetri, TT, 7 December 2017, Darjeeling: Darjeeling will for the first time host a meet of industrialists, with the GTA and the Bengal government involving some potential investors to the December 28 event at a time the hill economy is in tatters.

Tea and tourism are the two economic mainstay of the hills but these sectors have been hit the hard by the 104-day statehood shutdown. Darjeeling attracts around 3.5 lakh domestic and 40,000 international tourists annually. However, the footfall is expected to plunge 70 per cent this year. The Darjeeling tea industry has had zero production between June and September-end this year.

Binay Tamang, the chairperson of the board of administrators at the GTA, said: "On December 28, the GTA, in association with the state government, will organise the first-ever industrial meet at Sterling Resort in Ghoom. Five prominent industrialists from Mumbai, Delhi and Calcutta will be attending the meeting, along with other interested investors."

Tamang, however, did not disclose the names of the industrialists who were likely to attend the event.

Observers believe the initiative could go a long way in helping the hill economy.

"We have tea and tourism but these sectors have suffered in the past. The GTA has potential places for investment in the foothills. We will try our best to bring in investors so that employment can be generated," said Tamang.

In an effort to bring back tourists after months of strife, the GTA and the state government will organise the Teesta Rangeet Tourism Festival from December 27 to 31.

"The festival will be organised in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Kurseong and Mirik. We will make it a calendar event of the GTA from next year," he said.