Nordic Ambassadors look for potential business opportunities in NE

Guwahati, Apr 22(UNI) Three Nordic countries' ambassadors recently visited North East India to look into possible business opportunities in the region.

The three ambassadors comprised Ambassador of Finland Asko Numminen, Ambassador of Sweden Lars Olof Lindgren and Ambassador of Denmark Ole Lonsmann Poulsen.

They visited Tawang region of Arunchal Pradesh yesterday and they would be leaving for Imphal tomorrow. Interacting with the media, they said that while all of them were throughly impressed with the natural beauty of the region, they found the region was in serious need for infrastructure development, especially in the hospitality and road sectors.

They also pointed out the international insurance companies charge more premiums from potential North East tourists because of which many tourists from the Nordic countries stayed away from the region.

He advised the region's policy makers to impress upon the International Insurance Companies to do away these practices.

''In case of J&K and Assam they charge more premium and that put off the foreign tourist'' said Mr. Poulsen.

However, all the three ambassadors were unanimous that heavy rush of foreign tourists would not help the region. ''What we need is not the backpackers but the upper middle class and the niche class and then only the region can be benefited'' said Mr. Lindgren.

The Ambassadors also visited Kaziranga and hoped that sustainable development would keep the region beautiful. ''I only wish that they are careful in promoting tourism and should not rush through destroying the whole ecology'' said Mr. Numminen.

They also visited the local Natioanl Aids Control Organisation(NACO) office to know more about the HIV menace in the region. The group is particlualry keen to know the status of Manipur where they are visiting tomorrow.

UNI MT LL RN1805