Shillong, Meghalaya, 17th of June, 2026 : The North East India Infrastructure Summit & Exhibition 2026 (NEIINFRA) concluded successfully on Tuesday (16th June, 2026) in Shillong, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, investors, entrepreneurs, development agencies, and infrastructure experts to deliberate on the immense growth opportunities and strategic priorities shaping the future of India’s North Eastern Region.
Hosted by the Government of Meghalaya, organized by Federation of Industry & Commerce of North Eastern Region (FINER), and co-organized by the Build India Foundation, the summit served as a dynamic platform for fostering partnerships, encouraging investment, and advancing sustainable development across the region. The concluding day of the two-day event was graced by Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Hon’ble Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Govt of India.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Hon’ble Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Govt of India outlined a comprehensive vision for transforming the Northeast into a major hub for connectivity, trade, tourism, and investment. He emphasized that infrastructure development goes beyond building roads and bridges, serving instead as a means to connect people with opportunities, services, and markets. Highlighting significant investments in highways, railways, airports, waterways, digital networks, and energy projects, he noted that over ₹6 lakh crore has been invested in the region since 2014. He also underscored the Northeast’s strategic role as India’s gateway to Southeast Asia, its growing appeal to investors, and its immense tourism potential. Stressing the need for sustainable and climate-resilient development, he called for balancing economic growth with environmental conservation and cultural preservation, while empowering youth and entrepreneurs to drive the region’s future prosperity.
The second day of the summit featured a series of high-impact sessions addressing tourism, industrial development, green energy, infrastructure modernization, and startup growth, reflecting the region’s evolving economic landscape and development aspirations. Shri Pradyot Bikram Manikya Deb Barman, Chairman of the Indigenous Progressive Regional Alliance, TIPRA Motha graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour. In his address, he emphasized that tourism development must directly benefit local communities. “Tourism should be a local benefit industry, not just a visitor industry. It must create jobs, generate income, and build an ecosystem where local communities gain directly.” He stressed the need for sustainable development that safeguards the environment and preserves indigenous identity, warning against growth that comes at the expense of the region’s unique cultural heritage. He also highlighted the importance of improving connectivity, particularly air travel and cargo infrastructure, to facilitate the efficient movement of people and goods and unlock greater economic opportunities.
During the session, “Bringing Glory to Ashta Lakshmi: Nurturing Potential through Tourism” Industry experts and tourism stakeholders explored strategies to position the North East as a premier tourism destination. Discussions focused on sustainable tourism, heritage conservation, eco-tourism, adventure tourism, and community-led initiatives capable of generating employment and strengthening local economies.
In his remarks, Dr. Shakil P. Ahammed, IAS, Chief Secretary of Meghalaya highlighted the untapped economic potential of tourism in the Northeast, noting that despite attracting a comparable number of visitors, the region earns only a fraction of the tourism revenue generated by countries like Bhutan. He stressed that tourism must be structured to benefit local communities directly through jobs, entrepreneurship, and skill development. Emphasizing the region’s natural hospitality and cultural values, he called for greater investment in training centres for hospitality, nursing, and caregiving sectors.
At the session, “Unnati & Beyond – Industries and Innovative Funding of MSMEs & Startups in the North East Region”, the session highlighted the critical role of MSMEs and startups in driving regional economic growth. Participants discussed innovative financing mechanisms, investment opportunities, policy support, incubation ecosystems, and strategies for improving access to capital and markets.
During the session on “Bio-Energy & Green Energy in North East India”, the panellists emphasized the region’s significant potential in renewable and bio-energy sectors. Deliberations covered clean energy investments, energy security, sustainable resource utilization, and the role of green technologies in supporting long-term economic and environmental goals.
Addressing the summit, Shri Lahkmen Rymbui, Hon’ble Minister, Meghalaya, highlighted the Northeast’s vast potential for sustainable development through bioenergy, bamboo, broom grass, and micro-hydropower projects. He emphasized the need for greater investment in research and development to identify innovative uses for local resources and create value-added products that can boost rural incomes. Stressing that the region’s challenge lies not in production but in market access, he called for stronger supply chains and better linkages between producers, processors, and consumers. The minister also encouraged entrepreneurship and private-sector participation, noting that development must be driven through collaboration among governments, investors, businesses, and local communities.
Another important session, “Accelerating Infrastructure & Construction in NER through New Technologies & Digital Pathways” Infrastructure leaders and technology innovators examined how digital transformation, smart construction technologies, AI-driven planning, and advanced project management tools can accelerate infrastructure delivery while improving efficiency and sustainability.
The summit was attended by Shri. S. Dhar, Hon’ble Deputy CM, Meghalaya; Shri Sosthenes Sohtun, Hon’ble Minister Meghalaya; Shri. Sanjay Goyal, IAS, C&S, Meghalaya; Shri. Cyril Diengdoh, IAS, C&S, Industries, Meghalaya along with several other dignitaries.
The summit concluded with a well-attended Valedictory Session, where organizers summarized key outcomes and reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the North East’s development agenda through continued collaboration among government, industry, financial institutions, and civil society.
Shri Bajrang Lohia, President, FINER, reiterated the importance of collaborative action among governments, industry and financial institutions to unlock the immense economic potential of the North Eastern Region. They emphasized the need for sustainable, technology-enabled and inclusive infrastructure development that creates jobs, strengthens connectivity and positions the region as a major growth engine of India.
The organizers expressed their gratitude to all delegates, speakers, partners, exhibitors, sponsors, and stakeholders whose participation contributed to the success of the event.
Shri Rajeev Agarwal, Vice President, FINER, speaking at the valedictory session, thanked all participating ministries, state governments, industry partners, speakers, delegates and exhibitors for their contribution to the success of NEIIS 2026. He noted that the summit has reinforced a shared commitment towards building world-class infrastructure and creating new opportunities for investment and economic growth across the North East.
The two-day summit was graced by several distinguished leaders, including Shri Nitin Jairam Gadkari, Hon’ble Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Shri Conrad K. Sangma, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Dr. Neiphiu Rio, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Nagaland, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Hon’ble Union Minister for Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Shri Ram Mohan Naidu, Hon’ble Union Minister for Civil Aviation, and Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Hon’ble Union Minister for Tourism, along with senior officials from the Government of India, state governments, industry associations and leading corporations.
Speakers emphasized that the discussions and partnerships forged during the summit will contribute significantly to strengthening infrastructure, promoting sustainable development, generating employment, and positioning the North East as a major driver of India’s economic growth story.
The North East India Infrastructure Summit & Exhibition 2026 successfully created a platform for meaningful dialogue, investment promotion, and knowledge exchange. The recommendations emerging from the summit are expected to support policy formulation, accelerate project implementation, and strengthen the region’s attractiveness as a destination for infrastructure development, innovation, tourism, renewable energy, and entrepreneurship.
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