Industrial Corridor between Guwahati and Mandalay (Burma)

"Industries and Commerce Minister attends the 2nd meeting of Council of Trade Development and Promotion. Patowary strongly advocates for an Industrial Corridor starting from Guwahati to Mandalay"  “After liberalization, the earlier notion of Assam and Northeast India being landlocked and remote has turned it into an advantage for the region as it is viewed to be strategically located between mainland India and the vibrant economy of ASEAN and SAARC countries. It is no more the periphery, but the centre stage of South East Asia’s 11 countries having a combined GDP of $ 1.9 trillion. Therefore, it is imperative that there is free flow of trade and commerce with our immediate neighbours and even beyond,” said Chandra Mohan Patowary, Industries and Commerce Minister at the 2nd meeting of Council of Trade Development and Promotion held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi on Thursday. Minister Patowary has requested for the creation of an Industrial Corridor starting from Guwahati to Mandalay which would make the entire place a Production Hub for ASEAN markets. North East Industrial and Investment Promotion Policy (NEIIPP) has a major role to play to encourage manufacturing in this region and the Minister urged the Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Nirmala Sitharaman to announce the new NEIIPP by April 1, 2017 which is the expiry date for the existing policy.  Added to this, he has focussed on allowing more items to be exported and imported to and from Bangladesh through the Golokganj Land Custom Station (LCS). Presently Coal, Stone and Stone Boulder are exported through this point. “This will help to reduce the informal trade along the Border as well as other disturbances”, the Minister added. Minister Patowary has requested the setting up consulates of the ASEAN countries in Guwahati to facilitate VISA procedures and to open an Oriental Study Centre in Guwahati to work in the field of language learning, dissemination of trade information which would help to interact with the ASEAN countries and overcome the language barrier. The Assam Government has also undertaken a project for dredging the entire stretch of the river Brahmaputra, which would allow the big ships to navigate which will open the sea route for Assam and will promote trade and commerce through this river route.  Stay updated on the go with GPlus News. Click here to download the app for your device.