List of items need to be revised to trigger eco development

Gangtok, Mar 5 (UNI) Items listed for border trade between India and China should be revised and the volume of trade reset to trigger sustainable economic development, Sikkim Minister for Trade, Commerce and Industries R B Subba said here today.

''Items of trade are required to be significantly revised to include more items specific to the region to have an immediate impact on the economic growth,'' he said while addressing a two-day seminar on its inaugural day organised by the Indian Council of Social Science Research North Eastern Region, Shillong here.

Mr Subba said trade and development were related to each other and were an integral process for development as these brings about economic regeneration, industrialisatiion, communication and infrastrcture development, promoteS tourism and generateS employment.

Since trade through Nathu La pass, located at an altitude of 1400 feet and remained under snow for major part of the year, posed a challenge for smooth trade between the two countries, efforts should be made to ensure that bilateral trade remains operative throughout the year, he said.

Mr Subba hoped that the efforts would lead to generation of economic activities and development in the border areas.

The trade would also lead to access of people from Tibet to Sikkim for availing educational and health facilities, open investment opportunities to meet the demand for requirement and promote tourism, the minister added.

The proximity of the state to Nepal, Arunachal Pradesh, Bhutan Bodhgaya and other Buddhist centres would attract tourists and people from this side would be able to avail of the opportunity to visit the Mansarovar lake in China.

If trade and tourism potential of the region were combined together in a purposeful manner it would bring about significant changes in the region and lead to development, he said.

However, for this purpose the items of list for trade should be revised and the volume of trade increased, the minister opined.

National Advisory Council member M Miri, former External Affairs Secretary L L Mehrotra and ICCSR Chairman P Tandon were those among others present.

UNI