Shillong, Dec 4: A two day workshop on “Policy Dialogue on Economic andTransport Development for Border Areas in Eastern South Asia” was held today at Hotel Pinewood, Meghalaya, Shillong. The programme was organized by United Nations Economic and Social Communication for Asia and Pacific (UNESCAP) in collaboration with Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Government of Meghalaya
Meghalaya Home.Minister, Mrs. Roshan Wajri in her inaugural address highlightedthe immense potentiality of the North Eastern Region which is blessed with rich biodiversity and the necessity to tap these potential for uplifting the socio-economic conditions of the state.
She stated that the initiative will provide ample opportunities for the thriving relationship with Asia and South East Asia with the outcome of the constructive, well planned strategies &om the workshop organized.
Lamenting on the poor transport development in the state Mrs. Wajri stated that multi-mode of Transort system needs to be introduced in order to meet the requirements of favoumble trade with an urge to declare the region as special economic zone.
North Eastern Council Member, Mr. M P BeAbaruah emphasized on the Look East Policy with great expectations by sharing his insights about the North Eastern Region. He observed that trading mainly consists of primary goods which need to improve the productivity of goods to trade with. Mr. Bezbaruah fixher mention5d about the Asian Highway which to be extended with tourism facilities in order to facilitate both vehicular traffic as well as tourist.
Mr. Cuong Minh Nguyen, Senior Economist, ADB in his opening remark briefedabout the importance and perspective of the workshop which aims to discuss cross border connectivity among Eastern South Asian countries.
In the session, key issues in border area and crossing management and economicdevelopment was discussed where Mr. Toki Blah, President ICARE, presented the Poverty alleviation and the social aspects of border area development, Dr. Manas Bhattacharyya SRO-SSWA, UNESCAP about the Transport and Trade Facilitation Sectors and Mr. Cuong Minh Nguyen, Senior Economist, ADB spoke about the current status of economic and transport development in border areas in Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal.
Others who spoke on the occasion are Mr. Barkos Warjri, Additional Chief Secretary,Government of Meghalaya and Dr. Nagesh Kumar, Director, ESCAP-SSWA and ChiefEconomist of UNESCAP.(SP News)
