AGARTALA, Feb 11 (TIWN / IANS) 'Destination North East 2016' festival begins in the national capital from Friday in an effort to bring the rest of India closer to the northeast region.

The union ministry of DoNER (Development of North Eastern Region) is organising the three-day event at New Delhi's Pragati Maidan.

"Destination North East is being organised aiming to bring the rest of India closer to northeast region. The region has certain speciality which is a great asset for the nation," a statement issued by the ministry said here, quoting union DoNER minister Jitendra Singh.

It said the contribution of the northeast in academics, growth and revenue is very commendable. 

"The region would play an important role in India's 'Act East Policy'. To act east effectively on foreign policy, it is necessary to act within our borders."

The statement said the three-day event would include theme-specific business summits on tourism, agriculture, food processing, skill development and entrepreneurship, information technology, handloom and handicrafts, livelihood, micro-finance and start ups.

India's northeastern region, comprising eight states and home to 45.58 million people (2011 census), shares borders with China, Myanmar, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Nepal. Some of the states have trade ties with some of these countries, especially Bangladesh and Myanmar.