By IANS,
Kolkata : Observing that an adverse perception about the security condition in northeastern states of the country was affecting investment, a union minister Friday said the government was striving hard to improve infrastructure and enhance security to make the region a ‘gateway to South East Asia’ for trade and commerce.
“With over 96 percent of the region’s border being international, the northeast can be a gateway to South East Asia for trade and commerce. However, the perception regarding the security in the area has been deterring investment,” Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Paban Singh Ghatowar said here.
Speaking at an interactive session organised by the MCC Chamber of Commerce, Ghatowar said the central government was committed towards the ‘vision North East 2020’ and was working hard to develop the infrastructure in the area to attract investments.
“We need to change the mindset with which we look at the northeast. The region can be a goldmine and the government is making all efforts to develop the region,” said Ghatowar.
“So far, our response to the region has been on an ad hoc basis mostly guided by security concerns. But now, there has been a fundamental change in our approach,” added Ghatowar.
The minister also batted for FDI in retail trade and said the reform will largely benefit the region.
He said the construction of a 3,200-km tripartite highway connecting India, Myanmar and Thailand, likely to be completed by 2016, will open up new avenues for trade and commerce, making the northeastern states a hub of economic activities.