British MPs for UK-Assam collaboration

BY OUR STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, February 20: The delegation of members from UK House of Lords and House of Commons today participated in an interactive session at the Assam Legislative Assembly.

During the session, Simon Burns, the Member of Parliament for Chelmsford Eastern, said that even the UK is giving thrust to income generation. “We have resorted to cost-cutting measures. The UK has around 2.5 million unemployed which has become a major challenge for the government,” he said, claiming that living standards of the people of his country have not improved after the economic slowdown.

“Unlike London, the UK countryside, especially the Northeast and the Northwest areas are very under-developed,” he said, relating the condition of the Assam villages with those in his country. “Even in cities like Manchester, the economy is witnessing a downward trend,” he said.

Another UK MP Andy Love appreciated Prime Minister rendra Modi’s initiatives for promoting industries.

Lord Speaker of the House of Lords Baroness D’Souza felt that there are many areas in which UK and Assam can collaborate, especially in the development of the small and medium industry sector.

“There is a lot of potential in Assam for income generation. The tourist potential of the State is untapped. We would like to see these sectors, including the famous handloom and silk industries, fast on the road to development. We can provide technical expertise for their promotion,” she said.