Meet On Formalizing Trade Ties With Bhutan Delegates Held At NER Office

GUWAHATI: An Interactive Session on Agribusiness & Livestock with a delegation from Bhutan was held at the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, NER office on May 22, 2019. It was attended by entrepreneurs from export and import background.

In his welcome address, SK Hazarika, Dy Resident Director, NER, PHD Chamber, welcomed the delegation from Bhutan as well as the participants attending the meeting. He spoke about the ongoing business trade between India (especially North East India) and Bhutan. He also spoke about the various steps that can be taken up to further boost the business between the two countries.

Manoj Kr Das, Dy General Manager, NEDFi, in his address spoke on the trade history between the two countries. He spoke on Bhutan procuring raw materials like ginger, cardamom etc from Assam and the North East instead of procuring from other areas for their spice and honey industry. He also suggested that fruits in large quantities should be supplied to Assam. He also spoke on how value addition and technology upgradation may help in trade increase. Since, Assam and North East India has a huge quantity of bamboo, procuring raw bamboo from the region may help Bhutan in exporting bamboo products.

In his address, Dawa Dakpa, Marketing Officer, Regional Agricultural Marketing & Cooperative Office, Gelephu, Bhutan, firstly thanked PHD Chamber for hosting the delegation. He started with speaking about the healthy trade and commerce relation between the two countries. He stated that on commercialization along with value addition of many agricultural products, they can be exported to India and other neighbouring countries, which will highly benefit the farmers and entrepreneurs of Bhutan. He stated that the main objective of the delegation coming to India was to explore different markets for Bhutanese products and also try to establish a linkage between traders from both the countries.

According to a press release, Chairman Kumbu Tshewang, Lothuen Om Detshen, Gakdling Gewog, Sarpang Dzongkhog, Bhutan, in his speech spoke about their objective of the visit to India. He spoke on the problems they have been facing in exporting their products to other countries. He also spoke on how trade business can be increased between the two countries. Lastly, he thanked PHD Chamber for organizing the meeting.

Bibhuti Dutta, Member, PHD Chamber, NER delivered the formal vote of thanks. He thanked the Bhutanese delegation for coming and having a meeting. He thanked the entrepreneurs attending the same hoping for a better and improved trade between the two countries.

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