Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya M. Scindia on Thursday, 9 July 2026, declared that Tripura is rapidly emerging as India's gateway to Southeast Asia and a preferred long-term investment destination, citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Act East Policy as the driving force. Scindia made the remarks while addressing the inaugural session of the two-day Destination Tripura Business Conclave 2026 in Agartala.

Key Developments at the Conclave

Addressing delegates in a virtual address, Scindia described Tripura as standing 'at the intersection of connectivity, commerce and immense opportunity', positioning it among the most promising investment destinations in the Northeast. He urged investors to become partners in the state's growth, arguing the conclave offered a platform to catalyse enterprise, generate employment and accelerate inclusive economic growth.

Chief Minister Manik Saha set an ambitious target: attracting investment proposals worth nearly ₹1 lakh crore across key sectors through this year's conclave. He noted that MoUs worth nearly ₹30,000 crore were signed at last year's edition, of which projects valued at around ₹8,000 crore have already entered the implementation stage.

Tripura's Economic Credentials

Scindia highlighted that Tripura's Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) has nearly doubled to around ₹90,000 crore over the past few years, reflecting sustained growth and an improving investment climate. He also pointed out that Tripura is India's largest producer of bamboo and the country's second-largest producer of natural rubber — giving it significant potential as a major export hub for value-added products.

The state government's guiding principles, as articulated by Saha, are 'One Business, One Licence', 'Ease of Doing Business' and 'Ease of Living' — aimed at building a seamless, investor-friendly ecosystem.

Diplomatic and Industry Participation

Industry and Commerce Department Secretary Kiran Gitte said diplomats from South Africa, Chile, Bangladesh, Timor-Leste, Laos, the Philippines, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan participated, alongside the Chairperson of the Northeast Chapter of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), industrialists and business leaders from across India. While the government had initially expected around 500 business delegates, participation far exceeded expectations, with nearly 1,200 business leaders, industrialists, promoters and entrepreneurs attending.

To build momentum ahead of the conclave, the government organised four roadshows in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, New Delhi and Guwahati. Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal also addressed the inaugural session via a recorded message, as did Tripura Industries and Commerce Minister Santana Chakma.

Cross-Border Trade on the Agenda

Chief Minister Saha announced that, on the sidelines of the conclave, the state government would hold discussions with Bangladesh High Commissioner to India M. Riaz Hamidullah to explore avenues for strengthening cross-border trade and economic cooperation. This comes amid broader efforts to leverage Tripura's geographic proximity to Bangladesh and Myanmar as a strategic trade corridor into Southeast Asia.

MoUs Signed and What Comes Next

Several MoUs were signed on the first day of the conclave for investments in sectors including tourism, agarwood, rubber, food processing and other emerging industries. The two-day event is being held at the Hapania International Fair Ground on the outskirts of Agartala. With the second day still ahead, the state government is expected to announce further investment commitments before the conclave concludes.