7th Northeast Business Summit held in New Delhi

New Delhi, Jan 17 (ANI): The 7th Northeast Business Summit was recently held in New Delhi on January 6-7, with an aim to discuss the possible opportunities for investment and trade in the region.

The forum provided a platform for a formal interaction between potential investors and government functionaries.

Over the years insurgency posed the biggest hurdle in attracting the investments to the region. But with many groups coming forward for talks now, the fear psychosis among the people has declined and investors are slowly looking forward to invest in the region.

Union Home Minister P Chidambaram, on the occasion, assured the industry stakeholders of state's complete intolerance to any kind of violence.

Chidambaram used the platform to invite other groups to come forward for talks with the government.

"The big take away from 2010 to 2011 is that the most insurgent groups have come realized that violence will not yield the desired result and state will not tolerate any kind of violence and it is through dialogue that all the issues can be resolved amicably," said Chidambaram.

During the event, the participating members discussed the new government schemes and projects in line with the socio economic development of the region.

They stressed on the need for creation of better job opportunities, infrastructure, health facilities, tourism prospects, communication and connectivity, schools, colleges and professional institutions and other aspects that are needed for intensive growth in the region.

"The whole idea is to remove the poverty and generate employment. And for this we need to give importance to education and health sector. These are two important areas that we need to focus," said Chief Minister of Assam Tarun Gogoi.

Promotion of border trade with Myanmar and Bangladesh were among the key points of discussion in the summit.

Representative from both Bangladesh and Myanmar also expressed their concerns with the audiences.

Currently the trade between India and Bangladesh has crossed USD five billion mark in 2011 whereas with Myanmar, it is expected to cross USD three billion mark.

"We have to allow the exchange of goods produced within entire India and Bangladesh mainland, as this is the only way we can understand the intention of the two leaders," said U Tariq Ahmad from Bangladesh.

Ministry of Development of North East Region (DoNER) and Indian Chamber of Commerce jointly organized the summit to channelise these vast resources for the overall growth and development of the northeast region. (ANI)