AGARTALA, Sep 24 (TIWN) : “Road, rail, tele connectivity within the NER and with the neighbouring countries are the backbone of development and prosperity”, reiterated Ranjit Barthakur, Chairman, FICCI, NEAC today in his concluding remarks at the valedictory session of the of the three-day ‘Connect North East 2016’ summit organized by FICCI with support of Govt. of Tripura, Ministry of DoNER, NEC and DIPP. He called for setting up MEA Offices in NER States to facilitate people to people connectivity with neighbouring countries.

Tarik Karim, former Ambassador of Bangladesh to India and currently an advisor to the World Bank, called fostering sub-regional co-operation for expediting development. He also highlighted importance of waterways in the region and said while it is very important to build roads, we must be conscious of the need to protect the unique biodiversity of the sub region. Thanking FICCI for arranging the initiative to organize this important summit, he hailed Bangladesh women entrepreneurs for the attending the summit in large number. Notably, around 40 women entrepreneurs from Bangladesh attended the three day summit.         

Earlier, five technical sessions focused on opportunities and challenges associated with connectivity, including digital connectivity, air connectivity etc between NER States, Bangladesh and South East Asia.       

“Access to Chittagong port of Bangladesh will change EXIM cargo transport pattern in NER as well as Bhutan”, said Alok Ranjan, Member (Finance), Inland Water Transport (IWT) while highlighting the opportunities and potential of Inland Water Transport (IWT). Alok Ranjan further said, development of IWT will benefit the people of Atharamura and Longtharai on the NE boundary of South Tripura district and Sonamura sub-division across the Bangladesh border.