July 5: The Guwahati-based Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE), an institute for promotion and growth of entrepreneurship under the Union ministry of small-scale industries, will implement a four-year science and technology entrepreneurship development project in Bongaigaon district.

The IIE hopes the project will change the socio-economic status of residents, which has been economically sluggish despite the presence of Bongaigaon Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd. The Union science and technology ministry launched the project in 1985. It is sponsored by the National Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board.

?Assam is a place of possibilities and innovation, blessed as it is with abundant unutilised and under-utilised natural resources. Still, it has not made headway in industrialisation and economic development because of different problems, either natural or man-made. It has often been argued that there has been a shortage of prospective entrepreneurs who can take up the modern day challenges and set up enterprises to exploit the rich resource base,? said Pranab Sarma, head and project in-charge, Centre for Entrepreneurship Education.

?Realising the need and importance, the IIE has selected Bongaigaon to implement the STED project with an objective to develop entrepreneurship in all possible sectors. There will be emphasis on small enterprises involving science and technology to create sustainable employment and mitigate the rising unemployment problem by equipping unemployed youths with appropriate skills,? Sarma added.