CM inaugurates conclave on Act East through Northeast

May 27: Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma said that Government of India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has put a renewed thrust on Act East policy which has resulted into fast-paced growth and brought about paradigm shift to development narrative in Assam and other Northeastern states.

Inaugurating a conclave on Act East through Northeast in presence of the ambassadors and high commissioners of ASEAN countries here today, Chief Minister Dr. Sarma said that development narrative generated by the Act East policy has given a new hope to the people of Northeast to align themselves with the development initiatives of the Government of India. He also said that in the backdrop of Act East policy, his government is striving to position Assam as the expressway and gateway to ASEAN bloc.

He also said that the conclave which is a part of several initiatives of the Act East policy Affairs Department, Government of Assam to brainstorm on various aspects of Act East policy and strengthen the roadmap for leveraging the opportunity of Assam’s geo-strategic location to use the state as a springboard for economic cooperation, enhancing connectivity and addressing the issues for seamless movement of trade and investment. Dr. Sarma said that since 2014, under the dynamic and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Modi, Northeastern region has witnessed rapid transformation. The Prime Minister whose aim is to “Act East” and ‘act fast’ for India’s northeast, has given new hope, energy and force to the people of Northeast. He said that the Prime Minister has taken the Central government to the doorsteps of the Northeast India with several development projects.

The Chief Minister also said that Centre’s continued attention to Northeast and its people has proved that the region is not the periphery of India, it is in fact the centre of fastest emerging nations of South East Asia which has the potential to become the link for the emergence of trade and commerce with these nations. Government of Assam, is therefore, is working to position Assam as the gateway and the express way to ASEAN and South East Asia. Government is also working hard to make Assam the industrial hub which can serve not only the region, but also the population of BBN and ASEAN countries, Dr. Sarma added.

Speaking on Northeastern region’s geographical proximity with ASEAN countries, Dr. Sarma said, “We have no less than 5300 kms of international borders with a host of countries like Myanmar, China, Bhutan, Nepal and Bangladesh. The Northeast is truly India’s Gateway to Southeast Asia, and I believe the emerging connectivity with the ASEAN nations will play a defining role in enhancing our shared prosperity.

Member, PM’s Economic Advisory Council Sanjeev Sanyal, Chief Secretary Jishnu Baruah, Joint Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs Geetika Srivastava, High Commissioner, Singapore to India Simon Wie Kuen, Chairman FICCI North East Advisory Council RanjitBarthakur also spoke on the occasion. Later on the sidelines of the conclave, Chief Minster Dr. Sarma also held a discussion with Sanjeev Sanyal on different ideas and a host of issues pertaining to Assam’s economic growth and development.