Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, 3 February, said northeastern India's progress is "at the heart” of the country's Act East policy that focuses on increased ties with countries in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly the ASEAN countries, reported ANI
Modi reached Guwahati to inaugurate the Global Investors' Summit - 'Advantage Assam'. The Prime Minister was received by Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, along with other officials.
"We created the Act East Policy and the Northeast is at the heart of it. The Act East Policy requires increased people-to-people contact, trade ties and other relations with countries on India's east, particularly ASEAN countries," ANI quoted Modi saying
Modi said the country worked with the vision that India's growth story will pick up more speed only when the northeast region developed at the same pace in a balanced manner.
The two-day event, starting Saturday, 3 February, will showcase the state's manufacturing opportunities and geostrategic advantages to foreign and domestic investors.
According to ANI, the Summit has been organised by the Assam Government, in association with the industry body – Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), aiming to position the state as India’s Expressway to Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries.
There is number of focus sectors, identified by the state, which includes agriculture and food processing, organic farming, bamboo, handloom, textile and handicrafts, inland water transport, riverfront development and logistics.
"The work of both central government and Assam government in the last three-and-a-half years has brought us here and now we are able to hold such an event. It was only possible because the thought 'Nothing can be done about this country has changed," Modi remarked.
The Prime Minister also mentioned the new policy launched in the Union Budget to restructure the National Bamboo mission that has been welcomed in the bamboo-rich northeast.
Bamboo is scientifically a grass but nearly 90 years ago, the lawmakers categorized it as a tree which required for a permit to cut or transport. Northeast Indians were the most at disadvantage because of this. It is only our government that removed bamboo from the category of trees and brought benefit to the tribal populationPM Modi, as quoted by ANI
Terming the Budget for 2018 "farmer-friendly", Prime Minister Modi said that the farmers' development was imperative to the country's development and added that all ASEAN countries were, in a way, agriculture dominated.
Talking about the Act East Policy, Prime Minister Modi informed that Bangladesh recently became the first country to open a consulate in Guwahati, while Bhutan opened a consulate in the city on Friday, 2 February.
Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay was the chief guest at the event.
"Our chief guest Bhutan PM's presence speaks of the unbreakable bond of friendship between India Bhutan," he remarked.
Chief minister Sonowal said the 3-4 February event will showcase the manufacturing prowess and the opportunities offered by Assam, in terms of export-oriented manufacturing and services to growing economies such as the ASEAN and the Southeast Asian countries.
(With inputs from ANI and PTI)
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