SHILLONG: NEC secretary C. K Das said train connectivity will be helpful for the Northeastern states for import/export of goods.
Addressing the ICC-EXIM bank Summit organised at the State Convention Centre on Friday, Das said that there is a need to improve connectivity in the region.
“In this context, train connectivity will be helpful for the Northeast”, he said.
According to Das, Northeast region has tremendous potential for exporting goods to other foreign countries.
Das said that the need of the hour is to develop low volume, high value products and to study the requirements of the neighbouring countries to be successful in engaging in sustainable exports.
“There should be export facilitation centres at the District levels in all the Northeastern states where entrepreneurs can get necessary information”, he added.
The summit focuses on energising entrepreneurs for international trade as it is perceived that Northeast India has promising future as an International trade hub. The event was part of the ongoing 4th Act East Business Show organised by ICC from June 1 to 4 in the city.
Regional Director – ICC, Ishantor Sobhapandit, NE Initiative stated that the developments of North East is a much needed boost to India’s economy by extending trade linkages with immediate neighbours of the North East and further South East Asia.
Shifting the focus of main export items such as tea, coal and limestone, bamboo, rubber, fruits, vegetable and flowers, hydro power, he said that such items have tremendous potential to drive the exports from the region.
Sobhapandit maintained that the ICC endeavours to highlight the loopholes in the current scenario and to rectify the shortcomings thereby creating an atmosphere wherein the youth of the region become energised entrepreneurs.
It may be noted that there has been initiatives taken with a focus on the economic relationship of ASEAN- North Eastern states and ASEAN – India as a whole. The year 2017 marks the 25 years celebration of the ASEAN-India relationship.
Foreign Representatives speak
Economic & Commercial Counsellor of the Embassy of the Peoples Republic of China to India, Li Baijun told reporters that investment in North Eastern Region has not started yet.
However, he pointed out that there is lack of understanding about the people as there is less information about the natives of the region.
“It is my first time here and many Chinese people would be delighted too to be here,” he said.
Meanwhile, Assistant High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India, Kazi Muntashir Mursheed, spoke about connectivity links and other concerns to enhance the North eastern region’s trade with the neighbouring country.
Commenting on the train connectivity, he said, “I do not see any rail connectivity between North eastern India and Bangladesh very soon and it is not in the pipeline.”
On the other hand, Managing Director of EXIM Bank, David Rasquinha said, “There is a tremendous potential in the North East for horticulture product like fruits and vegetables as best quality and best large quantity comes from here and it is already organic based on actual experience and the export of such items has lots of potential.”
When asked on the export of coal and boulders, he said, “It is better to use coal to produce cement or power and export the power or the cement to capture a greater share of the value right here.”
Commenting on the value of export items of North east, he said that the value is relatively small as connectivity is an issue which needs to be handled. Rasquinha also pointed out that there is a need for air transport link, road and rails links which needs to be build up.
