FINER laments 'abysmal situation' of trade in NE

Guwahati, Dec 28: The Federation of Industries and Commerce of North Eastern Region (FINER) today lamented at the 'abysmal situation' of the region in terms of international trade, alleging that the state governments of the region were not aware of the potential of foreign trade in NE.

The FINER had conveyed a press meet here to inform about its recent participation at he World SME (Small and Medium-sized enterprises) Expo at Hong Kong.

Chairman for IT, Customs and Tea, FINER, Sudip De informed that the FINER delegation received a positive response from other participants in the expo.

The Indian Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong, has been approached for signing a MoU with the FINER for long-term relationship and the response from the former had been good, he added.

Mr De said the participants in the expo were enthusiastic about opening ventures in NE after learning of the fiscal incentives under the Industrial Policy for the region.

He, however, expressed anguish that the state governments of NE were not aware of developing international trade in the region.

He said, ''There are no properly trained officials, not to speak of separate directorates, to deal with prospective foreign traders with the region.'' He informed that at least two MNCs had refrained from investing in the region due to the delay in the Centre's announcement of extending the industrial policy for the region and the changes likely to be incorporated inti.

Director of FINER Amit Jain, who was part of the delegation to Hong Kong, also mooted the idea of developing Guwahati as the hub for trade with China and South East Asia.

He informed that there was a greater demand for agri-based products and food processing industry.

Mr Jain also informed that the FINER had planned visits to various parts of the globe in the coming world to create awareness among the global trade fraternity in potentials of NE India.

Director of the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship Dr Ahmed pointed out that Korea had captured the agri-based and organic market to a great extent in which India had great potential.

He said the IIE had approached the FINER to organize a seminar on foreign trade in the region to create awareness among the traders on how to get into international market.

UNI