ACCI urges Centre to take policy decision on border trade

Itanagar, Nov 13 (UNI) The Arunachal Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) has urged the Centre to open up of border trade between India and South East Asian countries.

The recent view of Planning Commission's deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia that "India should convince the governments of the neighbouring countries for opening border trade in North East.

Chief Minister Gegong Apang has always wanted that his state would serve as the gateway of India to South East Asian countries, ACCI President Lala Techi commented.

With the global village concept gaining the ground, reopening of border trade with China, Bhutan and Myanmar would improve the local economy, create employment opportunities and remove the isolation syndrome of the people living along the border areas, Mr Lala opined.

He said the distance from the mainland India and lack of adequate road communication besides absence of air and rail communication were greatly responsible for very poor socio-economic development of the entire region.

''If the border trade is opened to the neighbouring countries, trade and commerce would boom. The Centre should see reasons and take special interest for the welfare of the region,'' he said adding instead of selling their products at a throw away prices, the farmers of the state would get remunerative prices while the rich handicraft and handloom industry would flourish.

While welcoming Union Finance Ministry's move to establish a range office of Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) in the state by the year end, the ACCI said.

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