Meghalaya placed its fast-growing economy and expanding infrastructure in the national spotlight as the state government hosted the curtain raiser for the North East India Infrastructure Summit and Exhibition (NEIINFRA) 2026 in New Delhi on Friday.

The event, held at Meghalaya House, set the stage for the upcoming summit scheduled to take place in Shillong on June 11 and 12. The summit is expected to bring together top political leaders, investors, industry experts and policymakers from across the country to discuss connectivity, investment and growth opportunities in the Northeast.

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma attended the programme as the Chief Guest, while Sanjay Jaju, Secretary of the Ministry for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), was present as the Guest of Honour. Several senior officials and industry representatives, including Avinash Joshi, Secretary of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Sanjay Goyal, Commissioner and Secretary of the Meghalaya government, and Bajrang Lohia, President of FINER, were also present.

Speaking at the event, Chief Minister Sangma highlighted Meghalaya’s rapid progress in recent years. He said the state’s economy has doubled over the last five years, and investment in development projects has increased nearly four times compared to 2018. He described Meghalaya as one of the fastest-growing states in the country and stressed that steady growth over the past few years has helped build confidence among investors.

The Chief Minister also spoke about steps taken by the government to attract investment, including special incentives under the state’s industrial policy. He said Meghalaya has built a strong environment for entrepreneurs and continues to be recognised among smaller states for supporting new businesses.

Highlighting developments in the technology sector, CM Sangma said the state’s first IT park is already full, while the second IT park has received strong interest from companies across the country and abroad. He added that the government is planning further expansion in the sector to create more job opportunities for young people.

Sanjay Jaju praised Meghalaya’s growth and said the central government will continue to support development in the Northeast. He described the region as an important part of India’s future and referred to it as “Ashtalakshmi,” highlighting its growing importance in the country’s development plans. He also said Meghalaya is emerging as a key centre for investment, tourism and infrastructure.

Officials at the event pointed out that Meghalaya has maintained nearly 10 per cent growth for three years after the pandemic. The state’s economy has grown from around Rs 29,500 crore in 2018 to nearly Rs 60,000 crore in 2024–25. The government is aiming to increase this to Rs 1.35 lakh crore by 2032.

The state’s growing presence in tourism, sports and creative fields was also highlighted. Meghalaya’s famous living root bridges have been nominated for the UNESCO World Heritage List for 2026. Shillong is also gaining recognition as a major music and tourism destination and is often referred to as India’s music capital. The state is also preparing to host the 39th National Games in 2027.