GUWAHATI, Dec 30 - �Act East Policy has the potential to change the landscape of the North East economy in particular and the mainland Indian economy in general. The north-eastern region is strategically placed to act as the gateway to the Indian economy to South East Asia,� said resource person Dr Gautam Mazumdar, Associate Professor, Cotton University at the 11th Bhabananda Deka Memorial Lecture at Pragjyotish College here on Tuesday, said a press release.
The lecture on the topic �Economic Opportunities of North East India� was organised by the Department of Economics under the aegis of the Economic Planning Forum in memory of the late Deka, an eminent academician and litterateur of yesteryear.
�Initially we had the �Look East� policy and now we have the �Act East� policy. What the North East lacks is physical and social infrastructures. Unless infrastructures are developed, it cannot be the gateway to South East Asia� asserted Dr Mazumdar.
He further stated that the economic interest of mainland India and its north-eastern region is mutual and converging. �Why should there only be resource-based industries alone? Why can we not have a demand-based industry? Industries can be set up on the basis of demand from beyond our borders in the east. It will be profitable for the industrialists so far as distance is concerned. The region also possesses quality human resources to take advantage of the situation,� opined Dr Mazumdar.
The lecture was followed by an interesting interaction in which faculty and students of economics and other departments participated.
Earlier, the welcome address was given by Dr Namita Das, head of the host department. Dr Manoj Mahanta, Principal of the college applauded the department for organising the lecture annually to keep alive the memory of Bhabananda Deka, a pioneer economist of the State.
The resource person was introduced by Dr Ira Das. Dr Bidyut Bikash Baishya offered the vote of thanks, the release added.