Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has announced a fresh slate of initiatives to deepen the state’s startup and investment ecosystem, including an Arunachal Creative Economy (ACE) programme run from the Chief Minister’s Office and a new expert think tank, the Institute for Transforming Arunachal (ITA), which he described as a “mini NITI Aayog” for the state.
A Platform for Creative Ideas
Speaking at a programme marking the graduation of Cohort 4 and the commencement of Cohort 5 of the Arunachal Pradesh Entrepreneurship Development Program (APEDP), Khandu said the ACE programme will give young people with creative ideas a platform to turn them into economic enterprises. Seed funding has been doubled to Rs 10 lakh, and the intake has been raised to 100 startups. APEDP is reported to have spawned more than 150 startups since 2021.
A ‘Mini NITI Aayog’ for the State
The ITA will bring subject experts together to guide policy in sectors such as agriculture and allied activities and tourism. The Chief Minister said he is in touch with venture capitalists and will convene a conference at which existing Arunachal startups can present their ideas to potential investors. He directed the Planning and Investment Department and the APEDP cell to consult the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade on state incentives, including possible income tax-related support, for graduating startups that move from proprietorships to private limited companies or LLPs, with a policy decision expected in the coming days.
Incubation Across Institutions
Seven satellite incubation cells in higher education institutions were inaugurated at the event, and memorandums of understanding were signed with five more institutions. Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, the Chief Secretary, the Planning and Investment Commissioner, the APIIP chief executive and a NITI Aayog representative attended the programme. The push follows other recent efforts to channel youth energy into enterprise, such as the state’s national innovation challenge inviting young minds to solve real problems, and comes as the state marshals big-ticket resources for rebuilding, with Rs 7,834 crore committed to post-flood reconstruction.
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