More plus than minus after Asian Tsunami: ACCI

Port Blair, Dec 19 (UNI) The Andaman Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) has found that South Asian Boxing Day tsunami of 2004 has blessed Andaman and Nicobar Islands with more plus points than minus.

"I feel there are many plus then minuses in last two years, as far as economy of Andaman and Nicobar islands is concerned. There is a boom in shipping, airlines, transport, tourism, construction etc.

sectors," Mohd. H Jadwet, President of Andaman Chamber of Commerce and Industries told UNI in Port Blair.

He said that only businessmen associated with grocery business are suffering loss may be because since last two years government is feeding nearly 46,000 homeless tsunami hit people free of cost.

"Nearly a year after tsunami tourism industry has come back on track. Today, almost all hotels are full and daily at least eight flight are plying jam-packed," Jadwet added.

The ACCI president said this has helped a lot at least this has helped islanders to come out of the psychological barrier.

Nearly after two years of tsunami among other businesses tourism is doing well. The tourists figure has already touched the pre-tsunami mark and it is expected by December 2006 the figure would be more than 1,20,000.

Jadwet said that some schemes of Government of India for tsunami ravaged Andaman and Nicobar Islands, like Loan Waiving Scheme has done good for local businessmen, who had suffered heavy loss after 2004 tsunami.

Two years back giants waves of tsunami had killed nearly 3,800 people in which most of them are, missing-believed-dead. The cruel waves of tsunami had also left nearly 46,000 people homeless and incurred a loss of Rs 3,327 crores.

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