Ramesh favours separate Export Promotion Council for NE

Shillong, Oct 19 (UNI) Union Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh today favoured the setting up of a separate North East Export Promotion Council to boost trade in the region.

At present he said the region was in a disadvantaged position for acquiring externally-aided projects for which the Prime Minister had urged the Finance Ministry to review all existing provisions.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) had identified three crops of NE, such as, pineapple, bamboo and rubber for having maximum potential for export with the Asian countries, Mr Ramesh told reporters here.

The Union Minister was here on a two-day visit to Meghalaya reviewed the status of infrastructure facilities in the region with North East Industries and Trade Ministers here last evening.

Arrangements were being made with a Bangladesh firm for supplying about 80,000 ton of bamboo chips from Mizoram, he said adding at present there was export worth Rs 1000 crore from the NE with tea products leading the table followed by coal.

There was also a demand by the NE Trade Ministers for duty-free import from Bangladesh, he asserted.

Mr Ramesh said Meghalaya could be leading exporter of cut roses and other horticultural products. The Central government had also approved most of the handicraft and horticulture projects of the NE.

He also said the opening of passport offices in more North Eastern states would help to facilitate trade and commerce.

On the North East Industrial Policy (NEIP), the Minister favoured its extension beyond March, 2007 and which should have a package different from that of the North Indian states. At present, the NEIP was largely benefiting Assam and Meghalaya, availing about 92 per cent subsidy, mainly for cement industries.

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