Assam to operate as hub for activating Act East policy of NDA government
GUWAHATI: To forge better ties with South East Asian countries, the BJP led government in Assam will set up department of Act East. The state government has decided to set up a world trade center in Guwahati, which will house diplomatic offices and banks to aid this initiative from the Union NDA government.
NDA government has rechristened the earlier policy of “Look East” to Act East. Assam industry minister, Chandra Mohan Patowary told ET, “Assam will play a pivotal role in India’s engagement with South East Asian countries and for these we are creating requisite infrastructure.”
Meanwhile, the Assam government has been involved in other infrastructure projects for the development of Assam.
Patowary said that Niti Aayog in principle has consented for availing requisite loan from Asian Development Bank for dredging the Bangladesh part of our planned river transport system. “We will soon start dredging of River Brahmaputra from Sadiya to Brahmaputra (891Km). India has got access to the ports of Bangladesh and Myanmar.”
At least six bridges will come up over River Brahmaputra. The industry minister added, “Request for proposal for construction of world trade center will be floated soon, we are seeking international players for this project. Despite being South East Asian neighbours being our closest landmass, we have to spend considerable time and money in obtaining various clearances in New Delhi in order to visit or do business with these countries. The world trade Center will bring all these offices here.”
Patowary said, “Civil aviation ministry has started pumping in Rs 1,000 crore to upgrade the terminal of Guwahati airport besides Ministry of Railways is working on railway connectivity to different states of the region. “
The industry minister said, “With improved infrastructure and connectivity, industries will come to Assam. From here they can target South Asian and ASEAN markets.”
On this, the Assam government argued that fiscal incentive of North East Industrial and Investment Promotion Policy is expiring on March 31, 2017 and the government is expecting an attractive policy from the Centre. “We are seeking creation of an industrial corridor to turn the geographical disadvantage into an advantage,” the industry minister said.
NDA government has rechristened the earlier policy of “Look East” to Act East. Assam industry minister, Chandra Mohan Patowary told ET, “Assam will play a pivotal role in India’s engagement with South East Asian countries and for these we are creating requisite infrastructure.”
Meanwhile, the Assam government has been involved in other infrastructure projects for the development of Assam.
Patowary said that Niti Aayog in principle has consented for availing requisite loan from Asian Development Bank for dredging the Bangladesh part of our planned river transport system. “We will soon start dredging of River Brahmaputra from Sadiya to Brahmaputra (891Km). India has got access to the ports of Bangladesh and Myanmar.”
At least six bridges will come up over River Brahmaputra. The industry minister added, “Request for proposal for construction of world trade center will be floated soon, we are seeking international players for this project. Despite being South East Asian neighbours being our closest landmass, we have to spend considerable time and money in obtaining various clearances in New Delhi in order to visit or do business with these countries. The world trade Center will bring all these offices here.”
Patowary said, “Civil aviation ministry has started pumping in Rs 1,000 crore to upgrade the terminal of Guwahati airport besides Ministry of Railways is working on railway connectivity to different states of the region. “
The industry minister said, “With improved infrastructure and connectivity, industries will come to Assam. From here they can target South Asian and ASEAN markets.”
On this, the Assam government argued that fiscal incentive of North East Industrial and Investment Promotion Policy is expiring on March 31, 2017 and the government is expecting an attractive policy from the Centre. “We are seeking creation of an industrial corridor to turn the geographical disadvantage into an advantage,” the industry minister said.
