In January 2O06, Dr Pawan Chamling went out of the country for the first time after he took over as the Chief Minister of Sikkim full 12 years back in 1994. These visits to South East Asian countries and six European countries were hectic. The Chief Minister and his team had a series of meetings with very eminent institutions and people on a range of issues that directly impinged upon Sikkim and Sikkimese people. The Chief Minister did a large number of field visits to see and examine how various agencies manage farms, industrial units, tourism projects, urban sanitation, and flowers in glass houses, horticulture auctions and conservation of bio-diversity. He discussed the critical questions of town planning and urban management with the noted private agencies and trade with China via Nathula trade route with the Minister in Singapore. His team had an engrossing exchanges of views and ideas with the various tourism management agencies in Kula Lumpur and Thailand.

He discussed issues of putting some historic Sikkimese objects and relics including Dubdi Monastery built in 1643 and Kechopaldri Lake in the world heritage list with the concerned Director at the UNESCO in Paris and culled out old documents and research materials from the India Library in London. He deliberated on tourism related infrastructures development with the French officials of the Ministry of Transports, Infrastructure, Tourism and Sea and took steps to bring back the natural heritage of Sikkim from the Kew Botanical Garden in London. He examined how entrepreneurs are supported by the government in the floriculture business in the rural precincts of the Netherlands. He brought first hand knowledge about how technologies have changed and how could it bring massive transformation in the entire, production, conservation and sustainable development process.

He addressed huge gatherings of investors, traders and tourism agencies in all these countries. In fact he started with the address at the International Tourism Bourse In Berlin and ended with the meetings with the investors, media and other development agencies in the High Commission in London. In between the delegations managed to squeeze some time to visit some historic spots like the Vatican City in Rome International Court or Justice in the Hague, Oxford University, John Paul Satre's Cemetery in Paris, Potsdam in Berlin and Inter Laken in Switzerland.

Two very striking things were noted in the entire visit. Firstly, all the Indian Ambassadors and High Commissioners hosted special meetings and receptions for Chamling wherein a large number of noted businessmen, NGOs, investors and media representatives participated. Indian Ambassadors and High Commissioners in these countries were also impressed by the professional instincts shown by our delegates in putting forward the case of Sikkim as an investment and tourism destination. This in a way showed that the mission of Sikkim and its people were taken seriously by the Indian missions and the host countries. And secondly almost all the people, agencies and institutions that we had interactions with promised to visit Sikkim and explore the possibility of some collaborative projects and ventures.

This was easily reflected then and there as accompanying the Chief Minister was invited to sign two important Memorandum of Understandings. A Dutch consortium led by the famous Van Rijn Trading Group signed an MOU to start a venture on horticulture, floriculture and other agriculture marketing. This initiative has solid implications for the entire North east region of India. The Consortium is planning this venture in a big scale so that it becomes a major commercial attraction and success.

The Swiss Government besides continuing the development programmers under Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation (SDC) will also now help Sikkim in bringing investors. The meeting at the Swiss Organization for Facilitating Investment (SOFI), an apex government organization for investment purposes, was very fruitful. Sikkimese officials also signed an MOU with AMCOT, a branch of GASSER HOLDING, Switzerland for the up gradation of Sikkim Jewels Factory. This also provides for support in production capacity and diversification.
 

• Under his leadership rare document related to the history of Sikkim has been brought to the state from the British Museum Library.

• Dr. Pawan Chamling is the first Chief Minister, who has initiated in his visit to the UNESCO office, the move to include Dubdi Monastery, Khechopalri Lake, Namchi Senior Madhyamik Vidhalaya, Kabi Lungchok and Namgyal Institute of Tibetology in the list of world heritage sites.

• Plants to construct ropeways in Gangtok and Namchi are being prepared and construction works initiated. In Gangtok, a ropeway costing RS.1310 lakhs was constructed linking Deorali with Tashling Secretariat. The construction of ropeway in between Solophok in Namchi to Samdruptse has already started atthe cost of RS.27 crores. 

• Near old Lal Market a 100 mtrs. fly-over costing Rs. 1741akh was constructed.

• In a hillock above Gangtok at Selep a water purification plant of international standard has been built.

• In the old West Point school premises, a big car parking was built at the cost of RS.251 lakhs which accommodates 210 small vehicles. It is proposed to construct an open air theater costing RS.395.23Iakhs.

• One more multi- storied car parking was built at old Children Park at Gangtok at the cost of RS.395.23 Iakhs.

• Optical fiber cables have already been laid connecting Gangtok with Pakyong, Ranipool & Singtam. There are also plans to link Naya bazaar - Namchi; Namchi - Soreng; Gangtok - Rumtek, Gangtok - 32 mile and Gangtok Siliguri. Mangan has been connected with the rest of the country with the help of modern technology like digital- microwave.

• Plans have been made giving highest priority to Information Technology and most of the government departments have their own websites.

• A sum of RS.500 crore has been sanctioned by the central government for constructing of an alternative highway to connect Sikkim with the rest of the country.

• After prioritizing the construction of infrastructure in the state the Government linked the entire villages of Sikkim with roads and upgraded existing roads by carpeting them.

•  Plans are underway out to connect Melli of Sikkim with Mamring; and Jorethang with Namchi through alternative highways.

• CC footpaths have been constructed in almost all the villages of Sikkim.

• To modernize means of transportation the government has started helicopter services. Eight helipads have been constructed throughout the state.

• Physical infrastructure like Chintan Bhawan, Samman Bhawan, Janata Bhawan, SREDA Bhawan, Ashirbad Bhawan, Circuit House, Youth Hostel, Kanchendzonga shopping complex, car parks in Deorali and Baluwakhani in Gangtok and in Ranipool have been constructed.

• In the country, Sikkim occupies the first position in Tele density.

• At Pakyong, the construction of airport has already begun.

• Decision has been taken to construct a 5 star hotel in the state.

• Two polytechnique institutes have been established in the state.

• Small haat bazaars and market places have been constructed for the convenience of villagers.

• A multi-storeyed Kanchendzonga Shopping Plaza was created at the cost of RS.1601.30 lakhs at Lal Bazar. Besides this, such modern shopping complexes are also being constructed in Singtam, Soreng, Geyzing, Jorethang, Pakyong and Rongli.

• A storm drainage system was constructed at the cost of RS.627.22 lakhs running along the National Highway in between Gangtok & Ranipool.

• Near Singtam at 32 mile, a multi purpose Bhawan costing RS.42 lakhs was constructed.

• At Sherathang a trade mart has been established and it is also proposed to construct a modern guest house.

• M/S SICPA has set up an industrial unit manufacturing security ink at Mamring

• The Government has acquired 12 acre land at Marchak and for "dumping ground" to dump the leftovers of the towns. A treatment plant has been set up to recycle the left over.

• To extend financial services to the rural population, branches of State Bank of Sikkim have been extended in all four districts.

• Branches of Sikkim State Cooperative Bank has been opened in Namchi , Geyzing and Mangan.

• To develop Adventure tourism Rangit water world has been set up at Legship

• The 936 km road of the state has been carpeted. The Government has completed the construction of 309 km new link road. The constructions of 236.50 km road and 263.75 km link road as provided by various plans have been completed. Under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana 617.75 km road was laid at the cost of RS.285.22 crores.

• A total of 3343 families have benefited from the village potable water distribution programme from 1994-95 to 2006-07 at a total cost of Rs. 187.50 crores.

• In the state, the length of the roads has been increased to 2500 Km.

• A state guest house was constructed at Ganesh Tok.

• A state guest house is being constructed at Salt Lake, Kolkota.

• At Geyzing a Panchayat hostel and guest house has already been constructed.

• A new bridge at Sangklang above river Teesta, in North Sikkim was constructed.

• In South and West districts the work of constructing State Administrative Centre has been completed,

• The Government has completed the construction of fire fighting centre at Mangan; Sub-jail at Namchi; Police Training Centre at Yangang; check post Bhawans at Melli and Rangpo; RRB complex at Piplay, West Sikkim; a 100 bedded hospital at Mangan and a SNT truck stand in Siliguri.

• The Indian National Trust for Cultural Heritage at Delhi has already mapped the cultural and natural heritages of Sikkim.
   

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