CM Khandu Announces Creative Economy Programme, ‘Mini NITI Aayog’ to Boost Arunachal’s Startup Ecosystem
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Itanagar, 13 October : Chief Minister Pema Khandu announced a series of initiatives to strengthen Arunachal Pradesh’s startup ecosystem, promote innovation and attract investments, including the proposed Arunachal Creative Economy (ACE) programme under the Chief Minister’s Office and the establishment of the Institute for Transforming Arunachal (ITA), an expert think tank envisioned as a “mini NITI Aayog” for the State.
The announcements were made during a programme marking the graduation of Cohort 4 and the commencement of Cohort 5 of the Arunachal Pradesh Entrepreneurship Development Program (APEDP). The event also witnessed the virtual inauguration of satellite incubation cells in seven higher education institutions and the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with five additional institutions to expand the reach of the State’s entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, the Chief Secretary, the Planning and Investment Commissioner, Arunachal Pradesh Innovation & Investment Park (APIIP) CEO Tabe Haider, representatives of NITI Aayog, senior government officials and young entrepreneurs attended the programme.
Announcing the ACE programme, Khandu said the initiative would provide young people with creative ideas a platform to transform them into viable economic enterprises. The proposed ITA, meanwhile, will bring together subject experts to advise the government on policy formulation and development strategies in key sectors, including agriculture and allied activities and tourism.
The Chief Minister also disclosed that he was in touch with venture capitalists and would convene a conference to connect Arunachal’s startups with potential investors, enabling entrepreneurs to showcase their ideas and explore funding opportunities.
He directed the Planning and Investment Department and the APEDP cell to consult the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) on possible State incentives for graduating startups transitioning from proprietorships to private limited companies or limited liability partnerships (LLPs). The proposed measures may include income tax-related support, with a policy decision expected in the coming days.
Khandu further asked the Chief Secretary to organise expert-led workshops for APEDP alumni on leveraging digital platforms to access national and international markets. He also directed the APIIP CEO to expedite the conversion of the organisation into a Section 8 company, following his announcement on the matter at last year’s programme.
Highlighting the achievements of APEDP, the Chief Minister said the programme was launched in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic and has since helped establish more than 150 startups in the State.
He noted that Arunachal Pradesh had secured a position among the top three States in the National Startup Ranking Framework on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of Startup India, making it the only State from the Northeast to receive the recognition.
To widen access to entrepreneurship opportunities, the programme’s intake capacity has been doubled from 50 to 100 startups. The seed funding support has also been enhanced from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh and from Rs 4 lakh to Rs 8 lakh, respectively.
Around 100 entrepreneurs in Cohort 5 will undergo a nine-month incubation programme at APIIP, with mentorship and guidance from reputed institutions, including the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs).
The Chief Minister cited several successful APEDP alumni as examples of the programme’s growing impact. Arunachal Ivory and Ornaments, known for its 3D-printed replicas of traditional animal headgear, was featured in the Prime Minister’s 113th episode of Mann Ki Baat and received a Rs 10 lakh grant under the AIC-SMUTBI Digi Sapne Programme.
Other notable achievements include KT Marketing of Ziro, winner of the Bharat Entrepreneur Award 2025; Popil Tunes, selected for the STPI Octane Programme 2025 under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY); House of Macnok of Pasighat, selected for a Global Entrepreneurship Consulting Project with the University of Oklahoma, USA; CK Bliss Health & Rhythm, recipient of the Governor’s Appreciation Letter; and Mete Foods and Slot Allot, included in the North Eastern Council’s list of the top 50 incubation ventures.
As part of efforts to nurture entrepreneurship within the higher education system, satellite incubation cells were virtually inaugurated at seven institutions that signed MoUs with APIIP last year. These are Rajiv Gandhi University, Arunachal Pradesh University at Pasighat, Arunachal University of Studies at Namsai, National Institute of Technology at Jote, NEDIS at Nirjuli, Dera Natung Government College at Itanagar and Dorjee Khandu Government College at Tawang.
MoUs were also signed with five additional institutions: Donyi Polo Government College, Kamki; Government College, Bomdila; Indira Gandhi Government College, Tezu; Government Model College, Seppa; and St. Claret College, Ziro.
The expansion is expected to strengthen institutional support for aspiring entrepreneurs, encourage innovation among students and create more opportunities for startup incubation across the State.
The Chief Minister also launched the YES (Youth Empowerment Sphere) Arunachal portal, a single-window platform hosted by APIIP to provide information on Central and State government schemes. He urged young people to participate in the National Innovation Challenge under the Sewa Sankalp Abhiyan and thanked NITI Aayog for supporting the establishment of Atal Tinkering Labs in schools across the State.
Encouraging entrepreneurs to explore opportunities in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector, Khandu highlighted its potential to generate employment, promote local products and strengthen the State’s economic base. He observed that banking networks could help entrepreneurs access capital and, where required, land for business activities.
He also highlighted several schemes aimed at promoting enterprise and self-employment, including the Centre’s UNNATI scheme for the Northeast and the State government’s Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Swavalamban Yojana, Chief Minister Paryatan Vikas Yojana and Atmanirbhar schemes for agriculture, horticulture and fisheries.
On the State’s broader economic prospects, the Chief Minister said hydropower projects with a combined capacity of 19,000 MW were at various stages of implementation. He added that five mineral blocks, including those containing graphite and vanadium, had been auctioned in collaboration with the Union Ministry of Coal and Mines. Further mineral block auctions and exploration of rare earth deposits could create additional avenues for revenue generation and economic growth.
Khandu expressed optimism that these developments could help Arunachal Pradesh transition from a revenue-deficit position to a budget surplus, allowing greater allocation of resources for public welfare and development.
Under the Rising North East Investment Summit, five investments worth Rs 809 crore have been grounded, while investment proposals amounting to Rs 7,941 crore are being pursued. The Chief Minister appealed to local communities to extend their support to investors and help establish Arunachal Pradesh as an investor-friendly destination.
He also acknowledged the contribution of women-led development and the self-help group movement, which now has around 1.5 lakh active women members. Emphasising the importance of a robust rural economy, he said grassroots entrepreneurship and inclusive economic growth would be crucial to realising the vision of Viksit Arunachal by 2047.
Advising young entrepreneurs to focus on sustainable business practices, Khandu stressed the importance of understanding government policies, company law, the Arunachal Pradesh State Industrial and Investment Policy and the new labour laws.
Identifying bookkeeping and financial compliance as areas requiring greater attention among local entrepreneurs, he urged businesses to engage chartered accountants, maintain annual balance sheets and file income tax returns even when no tax is payable.
He also encouraged entrepreneurs to build on the State’s 20 Geographical Indication (GI) tags by promoting value addition, developing market-ready products and leveraging digital platforms to reach wider markets.
Congratulating the graduating entrepreneurs of Cohort 4 and extending his best wishes to Cohort 5, the Chief Minister assured the young entrepreneurs of the government’s continued support and encouraged them to pursue their business goals with confidence and determination.
Acknowledging the contributions of Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, the Commissioner, APIIP CEO Tabe Haider and the entire APIIP team, Khandu said the State’s initiatives were aligned with the national vision of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas and the broader goal of building a Viksit Bharat.
The programme reaffirmed the State government’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship, encouraging innovation, attracting investments and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for the youth of Arunachal Pradesh.
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