Shillong, March 16: A summit on Integration Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) organised by Indian Chamber of Commerce was held at Hotel Pinewood here on Saturday.
Speaking at the summit Minister attached to the Prime Minister’s office and Thailand trade representative-government of Thailand Dr Nalinee Taveesin said that there is a need to boost trade and commerce in the north east.
Emphasising that Connectivity is the back bone of development Taveesin lamented over lack of connectivity in the region, Thailand Minister stressed on the need to improve connectivity in all spheres, be it infrastructural and technological connectivity to ensure a healthy trading relation and create synergy between the integrated Asian countries.
Further, highlighting on the current perspective of BIMSTEC, Joint secretary (South), Union Ministry of External Affairs Sanjay Bhattacharyya said north has many chances to progress and become the centre of actions for all BIMSTEC activities.
“The government is focusing not merely on external economic policy but on strategic shift (Look East Policy) of which North east has been identified as a bridge between India and the Asian countries”, Bhattacharyya said.
Pointing out on some of the activities during the past few years, the joint secretary to the government of India said that the BIMSTEC member countries has made institutional progress besides agreeing on establishment of BIMSTEC energy centre, cultural industrial centre and BIMSTEC secretariat to be set up in Dhaka, Bangladesh to act as an integrator which could also boost the activities that BIMSTEC has been talking and discussing about.
“There are many challenges on how to transform the resources available into developmental activities, but despite all that, we have a common priority which is to provide a shared peace and prosperity”, Bhattacharyya said adding that they have reached a threshold that this could be realized in a more concrete manner.
Besides, Bhattacharyya also stressed on the need to improve connectivity, integration, consolidation and plan of implementation. “We are working on rail connectivity with Nepal and trilateral highways” he said adding that with Bangladesh extending its market to its east, “We are now focusing on rail connectivity from Agartala.”
Stressing more on connectivity, secretary general of International Chamber of Commerce of Bangladesh Ataur Rahman said Bangladesh is looking forward to help build and improving connectivity and developmental infrastructure.
He also stressed on the need for public and private partnership besides pin pointing on cooperation between the different BIMSTEC member countries stating that though various agreements have been signed to improve trade relation, yet the same have to be carried out to the field and not just mere signing of agreements.
The summit was also attended by delegates from Korea, Singapore, South Asia Department, Myanmar and others experts from different parts of the country.
Earlier, the delegates from the different countries also met Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma here on Saturday at his office chamber to discuss on issues to strengthen trade relations between the state and the neighbouring countries.(SP News)
