Tripura CM Manik Saha signs NSE MoU to boost capital market access
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Tuesday, 28 July called on the state to become an active participant in India's financial growth story, speaking at the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and three state government organisations in Agartala. The partnership, he said, marks the beginning of a new chapter in Tripura's journey towards inclusive economic growth and financial self-reliance.
Key Developments
The three state bodies that signed the MoU with the NSE are the State Institute of Panchayat and Rural Development (SIPARD), the Directorate of Industries and Commerce, and the Directorate of Skill Development. The agreements are aimed at boosting entrepreneurship, investor awareness, and securities market training across the Northeastern state.
'Our engagement with the National Stock Exchange of India Limited, India's largest financial exchange, represents a landmark step towards strengthening financial literacy, investor awareness, and securities market training for the youth of Tripura,' Saha said at the event.
What the MoU Covers
Under the partnership with the Directorate of Skill Development, the NSE and the state have jointly decided to design a curriculum covering capital markets, mutual funds, insurance, and investment advisory services under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) 4.0. Notably, the NSE will bear the full cost of the training programme, while the state government will provide the venues.
The tie-up with the Directorate of Industries and Commerce is intended to improve access for local MSMEs, startups, and entrepreneurs to financial and capital market opportunities. The SIPARD partnership will facilitate a network of certified master trainers to spread investor education and financial awareness across Tripura's rural areas.
Tripura's Economic Context
Chief Minister Saha highlighted that Tripura's Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) has doubled over the past six years, with per capita income now reaching the national average. He cited the NSE's investor base of more than 13 crore, growing at nearly 26 per cent annually over the last five years, as evidence that India's capital markets have moved well beyond metropolitan centres.
Saha pointed to MSMEs as the backbone of Tripura's economy — particularly in agro-processing, bamboo, handloom, and rubber — but acknowledged that access to credit remains a major challenge for these businesses. He also announced that the state government plans to establish a foreign language school in collaboration with the Ramakrishna Mission to open international employment avenues for Tripura's youth.
Broader Vision and Next Steps
The Chief Minister referenced Prime Minister Narendra Modi's emphasis on financial inclusion through schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana and the expansion of digital payments as the foundation on which this new capital market push is being built. He described the banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI) sector as one of the country's fastest-growing employment segments, offering significant opportunities for Tripura's young workforce.
Senior officials present at the ceremony included Industries and Commerce Minister Santana Chakma, Chief Secretary J.K. Sinha, NSE Chief Regulatory Officer Kishan Iyer, and the NSE's Senior Vice President (Business Development), along with secretaries and directors from the participating departments. With enhanced cross-border connectivity with Bangladesh and regional trade initiatives already under way, Tripura is positioning itself for what Saha called an 'infrastructure and trade renaissance.'