More plus than minus after Tsunami: ACCI

Port Blair, Dec 19 (UNI) The Andaman Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) has said tsunami has been positive for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

''I feel there are many plus points 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 sectors,'' President of Andaman Chamber of Commerce and Industries Mohd H Jadwet told UNI here.

He said only businessmen associated with grocery business are suffering loss 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,'' Mr Jadwet added.

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

After nearly two years of tsunami, 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.

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

Two years back giant waves of tsunami had killed nearly 3,800 people.

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