Call to reorient priorities for NE

NEW DELHI, June 8 – Calling for reorientation of priorities in overcoming the imbalance between the North Eastern Region and the rest of the country, the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has identified connectivity through Bangladesh, tour-ism, hospitality, wellness, IT, agriculture and allied activities, renewable energy, education and trade advisory services as some of the thrust areas. Presenting an Economic Agenda to Minister DoNER, Bijoy Krishna Handique, a delegation of ICC officials led by the chairman of the North Eastern Advisory Council, M. K. Saharia, made a plea for providing entrepreneurs and investors with requisite advisory services to facilitate trade and investment and create enabling conditions for the FDI.

The Chamber has said that the Region could gain from both ‘Look East’ and “Look West” policies in terms of access to the vast and higher income markets, as well as superior technical know-how and skills by prioritizing the focus areas.

Currently, only two per cent ASEAN trade is with India.

Pursuing a concerted “Look East” policy by promoting South-South trade and investment with this trading block the region would have an added benefit of reducing dependency on the saturated and highly competitive markets of the developed economies. The SAFTA and BIMSTEC agreements would also be helpful in this direction, the Chamber feels.

Source: Assam Tribune