Photo Courtesy: nenow
Shillong: Meghalaya secured the top spot among Northeastern and hilly states in the first Investment Friendliness Index released by NITI Aayog. The state earned an 8.5 score for regulatory ease, outpacing all its regional neighbors. Nagaland and Tripura hit 8.2, while Himachal Pradesh followed with 7.9. Assam and Uttarakhand tied for the next position with 7.7 points each.
The index tracks how administrative systems handle business needs. It measures the time taken to launch a business, the volume of required licenses, and the speed of getting water and electricity. Evaluators also checked land allotment rules and environmental clearance timelines. Other factors included the performance of single-window systems, commercial courts, and the time required to exit a market.
NITI Aayog states that transparent, predictable, and efficient frameworks are vital for growth. The agency noted that such systems "reduce compliance costs, minimise uncertainty and shorten the time required to establish and operate businesses."
Despite the win, Meghalaya landed in the Emerging Performers group for the overall index. The report suggests the state must bolster physical infrastructure and its wider business ecosystem. Improving resource availability will also help Meghalaya boost its competitiveness for private investment.
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