GUWAHATI, March 12 - Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma today announced the setting up of a Northeast Foundation which will act as a think tank for the region.
�This foundation will also liaise with leading think tanks at the national and global levels and articulate the perspectives of the region in a strategic and holistic manner,� Sarma said in his Budget speech.
The Assam Government will take the lead in setting up the foundation and provide the seed money for a period of five years, he said, hoping that the other north-eastern states will come forward to support the initiative.
�The interdependence and commonness amongst the north-eastern states is a compelling reason for all the states to come together and align their development strategies with the overall development framework for the region. Given its strategic location, the Northeast can be developed as a base for India�s growing economic links with South Asian, Southeast and East Asian countries as well as function as a pivot of the Act East Policy of the Government of India,� Sarma added.
