Centre plans to connect Seven North East Sisters with South East Asia

Dispur, November 29: Central government is planning to connect Guwahati with the Southeast Asian countries. This will be enacted by flight services as part of a plan to improve connectivity to the North East and boost the regions trade prospects, Assam Governor Jagdish Mukhi said.

A plan to develop the Assam city as a major hub for trade with the 10-nation ASEAN bloc is being worked on, he said. And also there is plan to re-open traditional trade route between North East and South East Asian Nations, he added.

Mukhi said the Centre was working on an "ambitious plan" to boost the economic growth of the resource-rich North East. Among the steps being considered was the linking of the region through land, air and water with the "vibrant economies" of South East Asia, in sync with India's Act East policy.

In 1950, the per capita income of (undivided) Assam was much higher than the national average. The region lagged behind after Independence as traditional trade routes with all the countries in South East were snapped. We are trying to revive them, the Governor said.

He indicated that the issue of enhancing connectivity between the North East and South East Asia may figure during the ASEAN-India commemorative summit, being held at Guwahati on January 25. The heads of governments of all 10 ASEAN countries are expected to attend the meet.