GUWAHATI, July 31 � The Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) today organized a symposium with support from the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, to have a detailed discussion and interaction among the ministry, industry and the academia over issues like cross-border trade and connectivity with South East Asian neighbours.
The programme was held at IIT-Guwahati where about 250 delegates comprising top bureaucrats, industry leaders, academicians and research scholars deliberated on wide-ranging issues.
Aloke Sen, former Ambassador to Myanmar, in his keynote address, underscored the importance of connectivity as a �matter of life and death� for the North-east. He said for overall development of the North-East in line with the Look East Policy, the Government and business have to move hand-in-hand. He said that there were seven crucial areas, i.e., government-business partnership to develop trade infrastructure; enabling a secured condition in the North-East; an aggressive business strategy; making exports cost-effective; connecting crucial points of trade and commerce; increased private sector investments; and bridging information gaps about South East Asian neighbours in an effective manner.
NK Das, Chief Secretary, Assam, in his address, dwelt on the role that the North East could play in consonance with the Look East Policy. He emphasized that connectivity must be sufficiently built up to harness the untapped potential of the North-east.
HN Das, former Chief Secretary, Assam, mentioned in his speech that for the Look East Policy to be inclusive, it must incorporate development plans for the North-east. �And, the region primarily being agricultural land, development of the North-east must emphasize on agro-based export potential,� he said.
Other dignitaries who spoke included T Armstrong, Regional Passport Officer, Guwahati; P K Marbaniang, DGM, Meghalaya Industrial Development Corporation and Nava Thakuria, secretary, Guwahati Press Club. IIT-Guwahati hosted the programme.
