GUWAHATI, July 2 � The �First Laos-North East India Business Meet�, which was held at the NEDFi Bhawan here today, identified agriculture, tourism and hospitality sector as the areas having prospect for bilateral cooperation in the spheres of trade and commerce.
Addressing a press conference midway through the summit, the Industry and Commerce Minister of Laos, Nam Viyaketh said that a good starting point had been made at the business meet and �the need is to build upon the beginning�.
Viyaketh said that Laos is a small country with limited trade and industry-related activities and that it needed investment from outside, especially India. He felt that both Laos and the North-east stood to gain mutually through bilateral cooperation in trade and commerce.
�As of now we do not have much by way of trade with India but expect the scenario to change after today�s business summit. A beginning has been made and we need to work further on this starting point,� he said.
Assam Chamber of Commerce is organizing the event with Laos Indian Chamber of Commerce.
Rupam Goswami, State convenor of Assam Chamber of Commerce, stressed the need for exploring trade and investment opportunities by the North-east, saying that Assam could be made a hub for investment in the days to come.
�The prospects are clearly there even though it cannot happen overnight. A sustained effort with support from policy initiatives on the part of the government can go a long way in achieving that,� he said.
Goswami also revealed that ACC would move the Prime Minister for re-opening the historic Stilwell Road for facilitating enhanced bilateral trade and commerce between the North-east and its South East Asian neighbours.
A number of dignitaries from Laos and other South East Asian nations are attending the business meet.