ASEAN envoys to visit northeast to boost trade, tourism

AGARTALA - Diplomats of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will soon visit the northeastern states to explore possibilities of promoting tourism and trade, officials said here Monday.

“Union minister of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Bijoy Krishna Handique held separate meetings during the past few days in New Delhi with the ambassadors and diplomats of ASEAN countries including Thailand and Myanmar,” a senior Tripura government official told IANS.

Referring to a DoNER ministry communique, the official said that both the northeastern states and the ASEAN countries would benefit from trade and economic activities between the two regions.

Recently the directorate general of foreign trade (DGFT) issued a notification allowing more commodities for trade along the Myanmar border.

“In addition to the 21 commodities, 18 more items have been allowed for trade between India and Myanmar,” the official added.

The additional commodities which can be traded between the two neighbours include bicycle parts, life-saving drugs, fertilizers, spices, sugar, salt and stainless steel utensils.

“Industry ministers of northeastern states during a meeting in Guwahati last week with union Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma also emphasised the need for boosting trade, economy and tourism between the northeastern region and the ASEAN countries,” the official added.

“As part of initiatives to improve connectivity between northeast India and Southeast Asia, the union government is considering a rail link from Manipur to Vietnam. Efforts are underway to have a rail link from Jiribam (close to the Assam border) to Hanoi in Vietnam passing through Myanmar,” the official stated.

Improved connectivity between the northeast and the southeast asian countries will not only help the region discover a larger market but also integrate India with these countries.

India’s northeast region is contiguous to China, Myanmar, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Nepal.

Tripura industry minister Jitendra Chowdhury told IANS Monday: “The Bangladesh government is developing infrastructure along the border with northeast India to give a further impetus to bilateral trade. India is also taking similar steps.”