Act East Policy will spur economic development: CM
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Puyam Romeshwor
Imphal, May 22 2015 :
Act East Policy will spur economic development and there is a growing need for grooming entrepreneurs says Chief Minister Okram Ibobi.
The Chief Minister was speaking at a two day international conference on India's Look East Policy (LEP) � Act East and South East Asia beyond borders held at Centenary Hall, Manipur University in Friday.
Murli Manohar Joshi, Lok Shaba member, Professor Brahma Chellaney, Centre for Policy Research, New Delhi also took part in the conference organised by Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial Development, Chandigarh in collaboration with Manipur University and sponsored by Ministry of External Affairs.
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The Chief Minister also pointed out that Manipur will not be receiving around Rs.2500 crores earlier received under normal central assistance and additional central assistance, etc.
The matter will be put up to the Prime Minister with other Chief Ministers of the NE States, he said.
The benefits of the Look East policy to the NER have been negligible he continued.
The LEP was not empowering the Northeast and making the people the stakeholders.
This may be attributed to the fact that in the early 90s Myanmar was not considered a significant player.
Today the Northeast has a prominent space in our Look East policy due to the changing geo political reality.
The CM also said that Northeast is the gateway to opportunities for international trade and commerce.
Two prime ministerial visits from Myanmar in quick succession with more visits of ministers from the region have helped in making the interface more concrete and meaningful.
Imphal - Mandalay bus service is on the card.
Considering the development potential of the State, the State Government has identified a few priority sectors in Horticulture, Agro & Food Processing, Power, IT, Health and Tourism to attract private investment and employment generation in Manipur.
Manipur has immense tourism potential.
We are in the process of establishing textile park and multiproduct Special Economic Zones (SEZ) to harness the potential of Manipur as well as the neighbouring countries informed the chief minister.
The Govt.of India is setting up an Integrated Check Post at Moreh for promotion of trade and tourism between India and Myanmar through Moreh-Tamu Sector he said.