NE students seeks PM's support for trade zone

Aizawl, Jul 19: The North East Student Organisation (NESO) has urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to formulate a comprehensive policy for trade in North East and ASEAN countries, especially with Myanmar, China and Bangladesh.

The organisation, an umbrella group for eight powerful student bodies from seven North Eastern states, also called for the establishment of a North East Special Economic Zone(SEZ).

''While welcoming the initiatives of the Centre towards the Look East Policy, NESO urges for a comprehensive border trade policy by way of opening of more legal trade routes, especially with Myanmar, China and Bangladesh'', NESO said in a memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister.

NESO also called for the reopening of the historic Stilwell Road to encourage bilateral trade and commerce with Burma.

''If the Centre is serious about implementing the 'Look East Policy', it should reopen the Stilwell Road, which has immense potential for giving a boost to mutual trade and commerce between the two countries,'' NESO underlined.

The Stilwell Road, unused for the last five decades, runs in part through India, Burma and China. Since the Centre's declaration of the Look East Policy, calls for the reopening of the road have been widespread.

NESO also said the establishment of a SEZ would be in line with the objectives of the 'Look East Policy'.

''In spite of its immense trade potential, the North East has remained a backward area as far as commerce and industry is concerned. Declaration of the region as a SEZ would provide the much-needed impetus to trade and commerce in the region, especially with its South East Asian neighbours,'' NESO said.

UNI