CM Sarbananda Sonowal Inaugurates Indo-Bhutan Border Trade Centre at Darranga

With an aim to improve the bilateral trade between Assam and Bhutan, Chief Minister of Assam Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated Indo-Bhutan Border Trade Centre at Darranga in Baksa on Wednesday.

Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal termed it as a special occasion and said that the trade centre will strengthen the ties of Indo-Bhutan relations.

The border trade centre has been constructed under the Assistance to States for Development of Export Infrastructure & Allied Activities (ASIDE) scheme of Government of India with the assistance of 14 crore. The project was completed in the fiscal 2016-17 and was implemented by Assam Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (AIIDC).

Sonowal in his address said that the inauguration of the trade centre is a spontaneous response of the people of Assam, particularly from the people belonged to Udalguri, Chirang, Baksa, and Kokrajhar districts. By referring to the peaceful situation prevailing in Assam, CM said that the border trade centre is a result of cooperation of the people of the four districts boosted to the state government.

In this connection, he said that the Centre has decided to construct 264-km roads for the development of the State, especially in the BTAD districts. The CM besides thanked both Bangladesh and Bhutan for opening their Consulates at Guwahati which is a sign of improving relations with the neighbouring countries with Assam.

Sonowal by reiterating the Look East Policy said the newly introduced Druk Air flight connecting Paro-Guwahati Singapore would uplift India’s relation with ASEAN countries to new heights. Sonowal moreover added that the state government by means of the active support of the central government would revive the Rupsi Airport in Dhubri and the work will start from next month.

Sonowal said, “Bhutan being a mountainous nation is dependent on India for most essential commodities to support its population. In exchange, Bhutan not only has immense potential for generation of hydel power and mineral resources such as gypsum, limestone but also various forest products both timber and non timber in nature, horticulture produces, medicinal & aromatic plants and numerous handloom & handicraft products derived mainly from high altitude flora and fauna. It, therefore, becomes economically attractive for both nations to promote trade across the international border."

The goal of this Border Trade Centre is to promote sustainable growth of trade exchange and Trans-border economic enterprises which will rather advocate unity and peace between the two nations.