ASEAN ENVOYS TO EXPLORE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES IN INDIA'S RESOURCE-RICH NORTH-EAST

By P.Vijian

NEW DELHI, Sept 18 (Bernama) -- Top diplomats from the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) will tour India's north-east region to explore
potentials in the underdeveloped but resource-rich area and its future
connectivity with the dynamic grouping.

Malaysia's High Commissioner to India, Tan Seng Sung, said Asean high
commissioners and ambassadors here would visit Manipur and Mizoram next week to
explore the states' economic possibilities.

"It is the initiative of India's central government to expose these states
to Asean and explore how Asean and north-east region can fit into India's Look
East Policy," he told Bernama.

Tan, who is also current chairman of Asean New Delhi Committee, would lead
the delegation from Sept 19-23.

The hilly north-east region, home to nearly 40 million people and known for
its tea, silk, bamboo and handicrafts, is also blessed with crude oil and
natural gas.

Manipur and Mizoram share the same borders with Myanmar -- which could
eventually be gateways to the prosperous South-East Asia.

Myanmar Ambassador to India, U Kyi Thein, said Myanmar was the bridge
between South Asia and South-East Asia.

"India is keen to work with Asean countries. There are plenty of trade
opportunities.

"There are proposals to connect India (north-east region), Myanmar and
Thailand through the trilateral highway and this will open up more
people-to-people contacts and increase in tourism," he said.

In 2003, under the Mekong Ganga Cooperation, the three countries, India,
Myanmar and Thailand, initiated the mega-infrastructure idea to construct the
1,360km trilateral highway but the project had been delayed.

Thailand's Ambassador to India, Krit Kraichitti, said India's north-east
region could link up South Asia (with over a billion population) and with Asean
(which boost another over 500 million consumers) thus creating a huge market.
-- BERNAMA


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