'Centre to Boost Foreign Trade Between Northeast & Neighbouring Countries'

STAFF REPORTER GUWAHATI:

Trade Between Northeastern States & Neighbours: The External Affairs Ministry has taken the first initiative to enhance foreign trade between the North Eastern (NE) States and neighbouring countries by holding a meeting in city on Monday where Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Indian buyers and sellers assembled, shared ideas and chalked out future roadmap.

Addressing the first-ever 'North-East India Buyer Sellers Meet-2021' at NEDFi House here on Monday, C. Rajashekhar, OSD (States), Ministry of External Affairs said that the meet is a modest effort by the Ministry to enhance the foreign trade of Northeast States with the neighbouring countries. He urged the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and other countries to step ahead and focus to put neighbourhood first.

"The Central Government will bring goodwill and transcendence to economy, rejuvenating the geo economic strategy and their traditional routes," said Rajashekhar.

North-East India Buyer-Seller Meet 2021

The ICC with support from the Ministry of External Affairs organised the buyer-seller meet in a hybrid mode- physical cum virtual on Monday.

Delivering the welcome address, Co- Chairman-NER, ICC, Prabhat Kumar Bezboruah said that this kind of buyer-seller meet is the most ideal to connect the businessmen from different countries. He also said such event helps in networking as well as new clients and buyers.

Bezboruah pointed out that the North East is very rich in biodiversity, agriculture and horticulture products along with tea, tourism and handloom and handicraft is our biggest strength. The COVID pandemic has negatively impacted the world economy but in recent times, Indian economy is recovering very fast, he said.

"This is the first initiative taken by the Ministry of External Affairs but the foreign trade of North East, along with the neighbouring countries is centuries old. The geo-political interest overshadowed the trade matters but now we should go back to ancient time and redraw the map and facilitate this trend of meet to create an economy," said Bezboruah, who is also the chairman of Tea Board of India.

Speaking at the meet, the Chairman of Indo Bangla Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IBCCI), Abdul Matlub Ahmad said that the ICC along with IBCCI has done a lot of joint initiatives to take the business relationship of both the countries to a greater level. He also said that diplomatic and economic ties between two countries go hand in hand under the strong leadership of Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina and Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi.

"Relationship between the two countries at diplomatic, strategic and economic levels is growing very fast. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting Bangladesh next week; and, it demonstrates the deep bonding between the two countries," said Ahmed. Suggesting removal of all hurdles in connectivity, he proposed a multimodal connectivity involving the roadways, railways and waterways.

"The Chittagong Port Authority is very much willing to work with the Government of India to allow its port for transport of cargoes between the two countries and within India itself and provision for organisation of business melas in Guwahati for one to one interaction and showcase of products," said Ahmed.

Consulate General of the Royal Bhutan Embassy in Guwahati, Phub Tshering said that the COVID pandemic has very badly affected the tourism and hospitality industry in Bhutan; and added that this kind of buyer-seller meet will go a long way in recovering the industries.

"The other major strengths of Bhutan are its various mines and metals along with its food products. North East India is very important for Bhutan and establishment of a Consulate in Guwahati is a testimony in itself," said Tshering.

Secretary, Industries & Commerce, Government of Assam, Pabitra Ram Khaund said that the strategic location of Assam with ASEAN countries and NE states provide a perfect opportunity to setting up a global platform to connect and link with others for trade relations. He said the Act East Policy provides a platform for the development of infra so that trade and exports between North East and ASEAN countries can flourish.

Commissioner & Secretary, Industries & Commerce, Government of Nagaland, Kekhrievor Kevichusa said that a SEZ (Special Economic Zone) is coming up in Dimapur. He also invited investors to invest in the SEZ.

The other eminent panelists were Niraj Nikunj, GeM Business Facilitator-North East, Ministry of Commerce & Industry; Rajib Kumar, Mission Director, Sustainable Environment Resource Institute; S. Bandyopadhyay, Director (East Zone), Ministry of textiles; and Manoj Kumar Das, Managing Director, NERAMAC, DoNER Ministry.

IshantorSobhapandit, Regional Director, NER, ICC gave the closing address of the meet.

The programme had the participation from more than thirty buyers from Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan and around eighty sellers- exporters from the NE region.

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