NITI Aayog will host an Investors’ Conference on August 10, 2018 at Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra for the Holistic Development of Islands. The Conference will be inaugurated by Shri. Amitabh Kant, CEO, NITI Aayog. It will attract investment for the sustainable development of eco-tourism projects in Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep islands.

The 11 anchor tourism projects are proposed to be implemented with private sector participation under suitable risk-sharing model and through open-competitive bidding. NITI Aayog, along with the respective UT Administration is organizing an Investors’ Conference on 10^th August, 2018, with stakeholders.

Sustainable development of islands and overall maritime development has been accorded high priority by the Government. Island Development Agency (IDA) an apex body, under the chairmanship of Hon’ble Home Minister, was constituted in June 2017, while NITI Aayog has been mandated to steer the Holistic Development of Islands program, along with the respective UT administration/ State Governments. Under the said program in the first phase 10 Islands in Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep have been taken up for holistic development.

The said anchor tourism projects have been identified on Government owned land in Smith, Aves, Long, Neil & Little Andaman Islands of Andaman & Nicobar, and in Kadmat, Suheli & Minicoy islands of Lakshadweep. Out of these 11 projects, 7 (4 in Andaman & Nicobar and 3 in Lakshadweep) are in “Ready to Launch” stage. Detailed land survey & demarcation of project sites, carrying capacity assessment of the project islands, CRZ application and pre-feasibility study have been undertaken.

Public-private partnership for island eco-tourism to solicit private investment under risk-sharing models and open competitive bidding. NITI Aayog is mobilising private investment for public private partnership eco tourism projects in Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep, with 11 anchor projects on government land to be implemented under risk sharing models and open competitive bidding; seven projects are ready to launch. Project governance is coordinated under the Island Development Agency and NITI Aayog's Holistic Development of Islands programme, with preparatory work including land surveys, carrying capacity assessments, CRZ applications and pre feasibility studies for identified island sites.