Manipur Business

Can I start business in Manipur

Agriculture, food processing, handlooms, handicrafts, bamboo basketry, sericulture and pottery are the major occupations of Manipuris.

Manipur handlooms

Manipur Handloom Business

However, Manipur is plagued by a number of existential problems like insurgency, civil strife and prolonged mass agitations that keep investors away from this beautiful hill state. The ever-presence contingents of Army battalions patrolling the violence-prone areas of Manipur show the delicate peace prevailing in Manipur.

It must be noted that are over two dozen militant outfits that are heavily armed with the backing of India's hostile neighbours as they challenge the sovereigntyof Indian dominion. In such a volatile and terror prone state in the north-eastern region of India, one cannot expect the businessmen to invest in setting up their enterprises.

With nil industries, Manipuris are engaged in traditional vocations like handlooms, handicrafts, food processing and basketry (out of bamboo) for earnings to sustain their livelihood.

Single window clearance

To facilitate investment in Manipur, the state government has set up single window facilitation for the benefit of potential investors. The escort mechanism provides the coordination with departments for all services and clearances required for the expeditious setting up of industrial units.

With an aim to promote investments, the department of industry is offering the single window facility through a ‘Green Channel Committee’ of officials from all other concerned departments.

Manipur Single window clearance This high-level committee is facilitating the expeditious clearances and government approvals required by the entrepreneurs. The state-level single window agency would consider and approve all projects of investment up to $9.2 million in each case including industry, tourism, IT, bio-technology, food processing and infrastructure.

All new units, except those in the IT sector, would need to obtain clearance from the Manipur Pollution Control Board. Clearance from the department of environment and forest is required prior to setting up new units in areas other than industrial estates, growth centres, export promotion industrial park, IT parks, Integrated InfrastructureDevelopment Corporation and declared industrial areas.

Here are the key investment promotion offices:

  • Manipur Industrial Development Corporation Ltd (MANIDCO): Formerly known as the Manipur Small Industries Corporation Limited (MSIC), MANIDCO’s objective is to aid, advice, assist, finance, protect and promote the interests of small andmedium industries in the state.

  • Manipur Handloom and Handicrafts Development Corporation Ltd (MHHDCL): This body was set up in 1976 to help production and direct marketing of handloom andhandicraft products.

  • Manipur Food Industries Corporation Ltd (MFIC): The approval body was incorporated in 1997.

The corporation provides assistance and support services in the field of technical, financial, marketing, etc., to food processing units.

Key approvals required

Manipur business

Manipur Business offices

  • Incorporation of the company by the Registrar of Companies.

  • Registration, industrial entrepreneurs memorandum (IEM), industrial licences and permission of land use by the Director of Commerce and Industries, Manipur.

  • Allotment of land by Manipur Industrial Development Corporation Ltd (MANIDCO)

  • Site environmental approval, no objection certificate and consent under the Water and Pollution Control Act by Manipur Pollution Control Board (MPCB) along with Department of Environment and Forest, Manipur.

  • Registration under States Sales Tax Act and Central and StateExcise Act and commercial taxes at the Excise Department of Manipur.

  • Sanction of power along with feasibility and connection comes under the domain of Electricity Department, Manipur and the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission for the States of Manipur and Mizoram (JERC).

  • Approval for construction activity and building plan by the Public Works Department, Manipur.

  • Water connection and sewerage clearance by the Manipur Public Health Engineering Department (MPHED).

Cost of doing business in Manipur

  • Hotel costs (per room per night) = $30 to $100

  • Office space rent (2,000 sq. ft) = $200 to $1,000 per month

  • Residential space rent (2,000 sq. ft) = $150 to $500 per month

  • Labour cost (minimum wages per day) = Unskilled $1.5; Skilled $1.6

  • Power costs (per kWh) = Agriculture: $4.2 cents; Industry: $6.2 cents