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US keen to initiate trade, economic activities with NE

By Sobhapati Samom - 15 Sep 2010 12:00 AM GMT

IMPHAL, Oct 14 - The United States of America is studying the possibility of initiating infrastructure development programmes in association with Government of India in North East particularly in Manipur to promote border trade and other economic activities.

Minister Counsellor (Economic, Environment, Science and Technology Affairs) Robert Garverick of US Embassy in New Delhi, along with his colleague Geoffrey Wessel, a trade and connectivity officer, visited the border State and interacted with the State officials. Sourabh Sen, Global Affairs advisor at US Consulate at Kolkata also accompanied the US envoy.

Soon after visiting Moreh and inspecting the existing infrastructure at the border gates including the Integrated Check Post, the US envoy told the media on Saturday night that the US Embassy in Delhi has been working closely with the Government of India on economic development programmes on trade and investment, science and technology. �We are interested in promoting bilateral relationship between United States and India,� said Garverick. �Our priority is sustainable infrastructure development�, he added.

Acknowledging that Manipur is considered as the gateway to South East Asia, the visiting US envoy also informed that the United States will be able to support economic development, besides other fields like information technology, telecommunications, skill development and technical training and assistance. The US envoy also opined that the Act East Policy will benefit the economies of both sides of the border.

The US team held a series of discussions with entrepreneurs of the region as part of assessing and analysing the situation regarding border trade. They also interacted with State chief secretary Dr J Suresh Babu.

Earlier, the team visited Tripura and are likely to visit other parts of the NE region as well.