DoNER Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Friday said that northeast is gradually but firmly coming up as new business destination of India.

"New paradigms will emerge post-COVID, with a potential for new breakthroughs in the economy, trade, scientific research and several other diverse areas, catapulting northeast as the economic hub of the country and a preferred destination for Start-ups," he said.

He was speaking after inaugurating e-Symposia 2020 organised by Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Centre for Policy Research& Analysis and IIM Shillong as Chief Guest through video conference.

"Northeast in the last six years has made up for several lapses of the past because," Dr Singh said.

"For the first time the region received equal attention at par with the other regions of the country," he added.

This has not only instilled confidence among the people but also raised the capacity to engage with other parts of India as well as the countries outside, at different levels," he further said.

Dr Singh lamented of the fact the in the past there was a lack of interest of the successive governments towards the comprehensive development of the region.

The minister also highlighted the initiatives taken by this government for the comprehensive and holistic development of this region.

"Be it overcoming the connectivity issues or encouraging entrepreneurship in the region, this government is fully committed to providing all possible assistance and support," Jitendra Singh added.

"As can be seen, in the last six years, there has been a significant development in terms of road, rail and air connectivity," he added.

"These have been facilitating the movement of goods and persons not only across the northeast but also across the country," Jitendra Singh said.

"States Like Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya, which had not seen railways hitherto are now connected with railways," he said.

"Similarly, states like Sikkim has seen an airport for the first time. Moreover, other states are also witnessing the opening of new ports or augmenting the facilities and capacities of the existing ones," he added.