Kohima, November 27 (MExN): Nagaland Governor PB Acharya has called for developing and strengthening connectivity of North East with the ASEAN region through trade, culture, people to people contacts and physical infrastructure.
The Governor was addressing the North East Governor’s Conclave with Minster for External Affairs, Smti Sushma Swaraj at New Delhi on November 23, a delayed report from the PRO to Governor stated.
“With right focus on the development of connectivity, infrastructure and cooperation with the neighbouring countries, Nagaland can become one of the trading/economic hubs connecting ASEAN countries,” Acharya said during the meeting which was attended by all Governors of the North East states and covered various points to forge greater ties between India and ASEAN countries under the Act East Policy.
On Development and connectivity, the Governor stated that if the state has good road connectivity, increase in trade with neighbouring countries is possible. He felt that once the ongoing construction of 4-lane road between Kohima and Dimapur is complete, it would open up smooth connectivity for the state as well as the region.
“Opening new and reactivating dormant trade routes, as well as facilitating border trade and transit points will not only boost ties between neighbouring countries but also improve the economic condition of the State,” he insisted.
Governor Acharya also said that our youth are on an advantageous position because of English medium education. Youth with proper skill training with English base can be strong service providers to South East Asian Countries, he stated.
To promote ties with the ASEAN countries, the Governor also suggested Cultural Exchange Programmes with South East Asian Countries. He said that North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC), Dimapur can play the nodal role in this regard as nearly 5000 performing artistes have been registered with NEZCC from all the eight North Eastern states.
The Governor also felt that efforts should be made for setting up Special Economic Zones. “Nagaland needs to be developed as an export-hub that can link up with India’s neighbourhood in South and South East Asia,” he said.
He further stated that Nagaland produces the best bamboo products at cheaper prices due to the availability of raw material as well as manpower. Floriculture has also emerged as a major business option for unemployed youth of Nagaland and it gets good annual turnover from export to abroad, he viewed.
Governor Acharya felt that Educational and Health Care facilities in border areas were important to forge greater ties between India and ASEAN countries. He suggested establishing schools and colleges under Public Private Partnership (PPP) in border areas to cater to border area people as well as for those living across the border. Nursing Homes, Orphanages, Old Age Homes, Skill Training Centres, etc may also be established in border areas for the betterment of the people living in the border, he added.
