By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: With North East India’s market showing an upward trend, Minister attached to the Prime Minister’s office and Thailand trade representative-government of Thailand Dr Nalinee Taveesin on Saturday said that the time was ripe for India and Thailand to focus more on North east areas.
“I am glad that north east is showing active participation in this tri-lateral trade between India, Myanmar and Thailand and I assure that we will invest on what north east market has to offer”, Taveesin said.
Addressing a gathering at a summit on Integration Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) organised by Indian Chamber of Commerce at Pinewood Hotel here on Saturday, the Thailand Minister stressed on the need to improve connectivity in all spheres, be it infrastructural or technological connectivity to ensure a healthy trading relation and create synergy between the integrated Asian countries.
Stating that north east is blessed with rich resources, Taveesin said that this provides immense opportunities for both the countries and that they are looking forward to tap these energy resources.
Pointing out the fact that Thailand and north east shared a similar ethnicity, Taveesin said “This is a common thing that can take us forward with a sense of belonging besides proximity with neighbouring countries like Bangladesh is also another opportunity for the investors”, she said.
Taveesin however, stated that no matter how plentiful the resources are and how keened the investors might be, without the support of the respective governments, nothing could move forward and can be achieved.
Meanwhile, highlighting on the current perspective of BIMSTEC, Joint secretary (South), Union Ministry of External Affairs Sanjay Bhattacharyya said north east has many chances to progress and become the centre of actions for all BIMSTEC activities.
“The government is focusing not merely on external economic policy but on strategic shift (Look East Policy) of which North east has been identified as a bridge between India and the Asian countries”, Bhattacharyya said.
Pointing out on some of the activities during the past few years, the joint secretary to the government of India said that the BIMSTEC member countries has made institutional progress besides agreeing on establishment of BIMSTEC energy centre, cultural industrial centre and BIMSTEC secretariat to be set up in Dhaka, Bangladesh to act as an integrator which could also boost the activities that BIMSTEC member countries has been talking and discussing about.
“There are many challenges on how to transform the resources available into developmental activities, but despite all that, we have a common priority which is to provide a shared peace and prosperity”, Bhattacharyya said adding that they have reached a threshold that this could be realized in a more concrete manner.
Bhattacharyya also stressed on the need to improve connectivity, integration, consolidation and plan of implementation. “We are working on rail connectivity with Nepal and trilateral highways” he said adding that with Bangladesh extending its market to its east, “We are now focusing on rail connectivity from Agartala.”
Stressing more on connectivity, secretary general of International Chamber of Commerce of Bangladesh Ataur Rahman said Bangladesh is looking forward to help build and improving connectivity and developmental infrastructures.
He also stressed on the need for public and private partnership besides pin pointing on cooperation between the different BIMSTEC member countries stating that though various agreements have been signed to improve trade relations, yet the same have to be carried out to the field and not just mere signing of agreements.
Meanwhile, speaking from an academician point of view, deputy director of Master of Arts in European Studies (MAEUS), Chulalongkorn University, Thailand Dr Surat Horachaikul said that among all the BIMSTEC member countries, India is the most powerful country and with political will to move forward, much could be achieved but critics doubt this capability.
“The problem is the people’s perception towards the concept of BIMSTEC”, he said adding that they are not yet familiar with the concept while stressing on the need to make tangible recommendations and to involve the people by making them to realize of the tangible benefits.
He also maintained that for BIMSTEC to progress there is a need for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to practice institutional connectivity stating that governments of member countries should have students exchange programmes and to be open to criticisms.
Dr Horachaikul also stressed on the need to prioritize and realize their needs and reap the benefits stating that though BIMSTEC is comprehensive, yet having 14 sectors within BIMSTEC is too big a number adding that in India, the progress of BIMSTEC is slower compared to the other countries.
Earlier, the delegates from the different Asian countries also met Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma here on Saturday at his office chamber to discuss on issues to strengthen trade relations between the state and the neighbouring countries.
The summit was also attended by delegates from Korea, Singapore, South Asia Department, Myanmar and others experts from different parts of the country.