'Centre must open trade links with South-East Asia'

Aizawl, Nov 28: Chief Ministers of North Eastern states have appealed to the Centre to open trade links with South East Asian countries to boost the region's economy.

The Chief Ministers of Mizoram, Nagaland, Asom and Tripura - Zoramthanga, Neiphiu Rio, Tarun Gogoi and Manik Sarkar respectively have urged the Centre to implement its 'Look East Policy' and "if needed, restructure the foreign policy".

''The 'Look East Policy' of the Union Government needs to chalk specific programmes so that it does not remain a mere policy statement,'' Mr Zoramthanga said here today, referring to the recent NEC meeting.

He said this would require restructuring of policies, including foreign policy to facilitate trade and cultural exchanges, the training of Mandarin, Japanese, Korean and other languages would be encouraged and facilities created for the purpose.

Mr Zoramthanga, however, stated that taking advantage of efforts made by the Centre for opening up the economy of the region, the states must consider the possibility of development of trade corridors with Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar.

He suggested that Aizawl airport should be developed as the second hub after Guwahati for air links to the North East since the distance from the Mizoram capital to Bangkok was shorter than New Delhi.

UNI