GUWAHATI, March 28 � The people of Bhutan can take advantage of the medical facilities in Assam as well as the educational facilities in Assam and Meghalaya, while, the NEDFi will play the role of facilitator in this regard. This was a major outcome of the series of meetings that the delegation of the Bhutan Chambers of Commerce and Industries (BCCI) had in North East recently.
NEDFi sources told The Assam Tribune that the medical facilities in Assam are accessible from different parts of Bhutan and the NEDFi will compile a directory of the private nursing homes, institutes and research centres located in Guwahati in the first phase for the purpose. On its part, the BCCI will organise seminars, workshops etc., to disseminate information among the people about the medical facilities available in the North East. The BCCI will also take up with the Royal Government of Bhutan the issue of identifying some of the medical facilities as referral hospitals.
Sources said that during the course of discussions, the BCCI delegation felt that the education facilities available in the North East is one of the key potential areas for attracting students from Bhutan, particularly in view of the fact that a number of private educational institutions are coming up in the region. The NEDFi will compile information about the private institutes of higher education in Assam and Meghalaya in the first phase.
The BCCI delegation requested the NEDFi to explore the feasibility of arranging for scholarships through the Government of India for the students of Bhutan who come to study in the NE region and the NEDFi agreed to take up the matter with the DoNER Ministry. The need for setting up a hostel for the students of Bhutan in Guwahati was discussed and the BCCI will take up the matter with the Government of Bhutan, while, the NEDFi will discuss the issue with the DoNER.
During the course of the visit, several issues relating to investment potential were discussed and the delegation was apprised of the facilities offered at the mega food park in Tihu in Nalbari district as well as in the other industrial parks. The BCCI will disseminate information about the facilities available as well as the benefits offered under the North East Industrial and Investment Promotion Policy for setting up of joint venture units among the potential investors in Bhutan.
Sources revealed that the Bhutan delegation requested the Minister in charge of DoNER, BK Handique to help in capacity building for artisans of the handicraft sector and food processing sector and the NEDFi will take up the issue again with the DoNER.
Promoting tourism was another key area which came up for discussion and it was felt that air linkage between Paro-Guwahati-Bangkok could play a major role in boosting tourism. The BCCI will take up the issue with the Government of Bhutan, while, the NEDFi will take up the matter with the Ministry of DoNER. The BCCI and the NEDFi will facilitate interaction between the tour operators of Bhutan and NE region, while, opening of an immigration office and check point on the Bhutan side of Manas river. There is need for a bilateral agreement to share the Manas river for tourism facilities like rafting and the issue will be taken up with the governments of India and Bhutan immediately.