Meghalaya: Northeast can take the lead in promoting Act East Policy: CM

20 July 2018:

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said the states in the Northeast could take the lead in promoting the Act East Policy and further engage with neighbouring nations and the larger ASEAN region to promote trade, commerce and cultural relations.

Speaking at the 10th Edition of Delhi Dialogue in New Delhi, he spoke on some key issues for taking concrete decisions on the politico-security, economic and socio-cultural engagements between the Northeast and the ASEAN partners.

The Meghalaya Chief Minister said, “Putting a robust policy framework in position is essential to reap the outcomes and benefits of such relation as enunciated by our Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This Delhi Dialogue gives an opportunity for the people of the Northeast to express their aspirations for boosting trade and cultural relations with ASEAN countries.”

The CM said connectivity in the form of roads, railways and airways linking the region with the ASEAN countries was vital for growth and development. These communication networks play dynamic roles as ‘veins and arteries’ for flow of goods, services and persons within and outside the country, he said.

He further mentioned that the development of connectivity would boast import and export along with tourism.

Discussing on the advantage in the fields of agriculture, horticulture, floriculture and tourism and hospitality and developing skills in these sectors to promote local enterprises and create local employment opportunities, he said, “To take advantage of the potential for export of produce in these sectors, it is imperative that capacity is built in logistics, warehousing, cold storage technology, highways services, business management and banking & finance.”