Itanagar: Bangladesh has evinced keen interest in importing power from Arunachal Pradesh, once the ongoing hydro-electric projects in the state are commissioned.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina conveyed this desire to Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki when he along with 16 other delegates from North East, including Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, met her in Dhaka on Thursday evening, an official release said on Saturday.
A Central Power Grid is proposed to be established to transmit electricity from Arunachal to Bangladesh.
Officials from Bangladesh will be visiting the state shortly for the purpose, it said.
During their interaction, Hasina voiced her strong resolve to work with India for mutual development of the two countries.
The Bangladesh Prime Minister expressed eagerness to invest in the progressive state after Tuki made a call for investment from her country in tapping Arunachal’s vast natural resources in hydropower, agriculture, horticulture, minerals and forestry sectors.
She also strongly endorsed Tuki’s view of Arunachal as a potential business hub for all the South East Asian countries.
The Prime Minister expressed certainty that more tourists from her country would visit Arunachal Pradesh as Bangla people are fond of travelling and the state, with its immense natural potential, is the perfect destination for tourists.
The High Commissioner of India to Dhaka, Pankaj Sharan, impressed by the state’s ability to be tapped as a tourist and commercial destination, gave an assurance on marketing Arunachal in Bangladesh, saying he would make Arunachal-related tourism brochures, posters, information available free at his Dhaka office.
He asked the state government to provide him with the required materials. Tuki, accompanied by Trade and Commerce Minister Tapang Taloh, Parliamentary Secretary Phosum Khimhun besides three others, had attended the North East India–Bangladesh Business Conclave 2012 which began at Bangladesh from May 31. (PTI)