‘Northeast plays key role in Indian economy’: Dr Jitendra Singh

A CORRESPONDENT

NEW DELHI: DoNER (Department of Development of North Eastern Region) Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Monday said that Northeast is going to play a crucial role in making India a 5-trillion-dollar economy.

“Collaboration with ASEAN countries will play an important role in meeting the target of 5-trillion economy in India and the contribution of the north-eastern States can also not be underestimated in it,” said Dr Singh while addressing the inaugural session of the two-day India-ASEAN Business Summit here.

Stating that Northeast has been the main focus of the current Government, Singh said Sikkim got its first airport last year.

He added that Itanagar will also get an airport. “We are also in the process of flagging off the first train to Bangladesh from Agartala,” he pointed out.

The Minister also mentioned the Inland waterways developed by the government for the Brahmaputra River, which is one of the largest natural waterways of the world. While quoting the importance of waterways in the economy, the Minister said that the cost of cargo transportation by waterways is one-fourth of such transportation cost by train.

Speaking about the tourism potential of North East, the Minister said that tourism has grown manifold in the recent years, especially with Homestay Tourism in the region.

“The Government will set up a Films and Training Institute of India (FTII) in Arunachal Pradesh. Many initiatives have been taken to promote startups northeast, such as tax holiday, provision of exit period and ‘Venture fund’ which is being offered by the DoNER Ministry,” he said.

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