DIMAPUR, Jan 23 - The two-day workshop on �India-Japan partnership towards meeting the challenge of infrastructure development in North East� held here has proposed a study to undertake mapping and identify the sectors of focus, match the supply-demand chain and feasibility of intended initiatives.
Several important points and ideas were discussed on the concluding day of the workshop, mainly focusing on infrastructure challenges in the North East Region.
Valuable inputs on development perspective of the North East were provided by the participants from the Japanese delegation, Government of India, Nagaland Government, policy analysts and academicians during the workshop.
Thematic sessions deliberated on the current status of economic development in NE and economic impact of infrastructure development; connectivity imperatives in the region and potential for India-Japan cooperation, possibilities of India-Japan cooperation in energy sector and linking �Make in North East� with production networks in South East Asia.
Professor of Economics, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, Manoj Pant recognised the diverse nature of the economies of the North East, and the need to identify the commonalities between the Northeastern States to better harness the connectivity and infrastructure development initiatives.
Speaking on the characteristic subsistence economy that prevail in a major part of NE, Prof Pant emphasised on the importance of linkages within the State that included rural road development to facilitate and boost intra-State economy.
Regional expert and commentator Prodyut Bora maintained that instead of introduction of several industries in the North Eastern Region, what was needed was for one single industry that would generate one million jobs in the region.
Dean of Asian Development Bank Institute, Tokyo, Naoki Yoshino spoke on how to finance infrastructure development initiatives. North East Council Secretary Ram Muivah emphasised on the need to re-strengthen the NEC.
Aiko Okamura of Japan International Cooperation Agency elaborated on the concept of Corridor Development to maximise economic development through connectivity.
