GUWAHATI:
Assam Chief Himanta Biswa Sarma on May 27 inaugurated the “Act East through Northeast Conclave” and said that in line with the Centre’s Act East policy, the state government is striving to position the state as the expressway and gateway to the ASEAN bloc.
Inaugurating the conclave in Guwahati, Sarma said that the development narrative generated by the Act East policy has given new hope to the people of Northeast to align themselves with the development initiatives of the Central government.
Stating that the Central government has put a renewed thrust on Act East policy, he said that the vision has resulted in fast-paced growth and brought about a paradigm shift to the development narrative in Assam and other Northeastern states.
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Sarma also said that the conclave which is a part of several initiatives of the Act East policy affairs department to brainstorm on various aspects of policy and strengthen the roadmap for leveraging the opportunity of Assam’s geostrategic location to use the state as a springboard for economic cooperation, enhancing connectivity and addressing the issues for seamless movement of trade and investment.
Sarma further said that since 2014, under the dynamic and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Northeast has witnessed rapid transformation.
The chief minister said that the Centre’s continued attention to the Northeast and its people has proved that the region is not the periphery of India, it is in fact the centre of the fastest emerging nations of South East Asia which has the potential to become the link for the emergence of trade and commerce with these nations.
“Assam government is, therefore, is working to position Assam as the gateway and the expressway to ASEAN and South East Asia. The government is also working hard to make Assam the industrial hub which can serve not only the region but also the population of BBN and ASEAN countries,” Sarma added.
“We have no less than 5300 km of international borders with a host of countries like Myanmar, China, Bhutan, Nepal and Bangladesh. The Northeast is truly India’s Gateway to Southeast Asia, and I believe the emerging connectivity with the ASEAN nations will play a defining role in enhancing our shared prosperity,” he said.
The chief minister also said that over the past seven-eight years, India’s engagement with the ASEAN countries has grown exponentially. Trade relations have matured, investments have grown substantially and connectivity between the Northeast and Southeast Asia is fast becoming a reality.
The chief minister further said that law and order in Assam has improved considerably. Armed Forces Special Power Act has been removed. There has been phenomenal development of connectivity in the state including the construction of bridges over the Brahmaputra to make transportation seamless between the North and South Bank of the river.
“Assam is also keen on promoting its biodiversity and producing green power to lay a roadmap for the development of the state in sync with its nature. Under UDAN International the state will be connected to at least six countries of the ASEAN bloc. So, Assam has presented a congenial atmosphere for large scale investment, as the government of Assam is very eager to start a new economic collaboration with ASEAN countries. He also reiterated that the government of Assam is also working wholeheartedly to forge solid and sustainable cooperation with the ASEAN nations,” he said.
In his speech, industries and commerce minister Chandra Mohan Patowary presented the prevailing landscape in Assam which holds immense potential for investment.
Patowary highlighted the infrastructural development in Assam in terms of roadways, railways, airways and internet connectivity.
He also said that prior to the announcement of Act East Policy, Assam was considered the last part of India. “However, the Act East Policy has changed the misnomer, as Assam is now regarded as the Centre of India’s relations with the ASEAN countries. The minister also requested the ASEAN ambassadors and high commissioners to send their business delegations to Assam for G2B and B2B meetings,” he said.
Member, PM’s Economic Advisory Council Sanjeev Sanyal, chief secretary Jishnu Baruah, joint secretary, ministry of external affairs Geetika Srivastava, high commissioner, Singapore to India Simon Wie Kuen, chairman FICCI North East Advisory Council Ranjit Barthakur also spoke on the occasion.
Later, the chief minister also held a discussion with Sanjeev Sanyal on different ideas and a host of issues pertaining to Assam’s economic growth and development.