Trust areas export from NE India identified JORHAT: Following frequent parleys with Chief Ministers
of the north-eastern States, the Centre has identified horticulture and
handicraft products from the region as thrust areas for export. The above was disclosed by Union Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh while interacting with mediapersons here today. Even otherwise, tea and coal worth Rs 1,000 crore are annually exported from the area, he added.
He mentioned that the Agricultural and Processed Food Development Authority (APEDA) would set up cold storage
facilities at airports in Guwahati, Aizawl, Agartala, Dimapur and Imphal for storing perishable products for export. Moreover, the Centre has announced 50 per cent assistance in air freight for perishable commodities from any airport in the North East to New Delhi and Mumbai for export.
On the handicraft sector, the Centre has come up with a Rs 12 crore project to enhance export from the region. The blueprint has been prepared by the Handicraft Export Promotion Council and supported by the Union Commerce ministry, Doner ministry, NABARD and NEDFi.
Claiming that handicraft export from the region was worth Rs 50 crore during the last three years, “we resolove to increase it by another 30 per cent.” While more than 50 per cent of women in the North East are engaged in the handicraft sector, a design development centre, which will be a common facility having linkage with all the NE states, will soon be set up in Guwahati in order achieve a uniform marketing platform.”
Further, the North East would soon have five border training centres at Sutarkandi and Karimganj in Assam, Demagiri in Mizoram, Dawki in Meghalaya and Moreh in Manipur for opening up new trade vistas with Bangladesh and Myanmar. The newly set up Land Port Regulatory Authority will monitor the integrated land port stations which would be under the Home ministry.
The minister disclosed that the Centre had okayed Rs 200 crore for development of these centres. The thrust will be on infrastructure development, connectivity and other facilities. While Moreh will take care of border trade with Myanmar, the other four stations would enhance business ties with Bangladesh. “Immigration facilities, banking customs and other necessary requirements needed for international trade will also be available at these centres,” he confirmed.
Significantly, the Centre has approved $ 103 million for developing the Sattwe Port in Myanmar following an agreement with that country, he confided the project will include making the Kaladan river navigable.