The Federation of Industries and Commerce of North Eastern Region (FINER) has urged the North Eastern Council (NEC) to take initiative to impress upon the Centre for implementing some proposals concerning socio-economic development of the region. The FINER urged the NEC to take up with the Union Commerce Ministry for setting up of a trade centre within a fixed time limit. FINER has taken up the proposal with the Commerce Ministry from time to time and Indian Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) has been asked to prepare a feasibility report. Though the Assam Government has already agreed to provide necessary land, progress in the matter appears to be tardy, they said.

A FINER delegation headed by its president S. K. Jain met NEC secretary H. W. T. Syiem at Shillong recently and submitted the memorandum highlighting some of the key issues on the socio-economic development of the region.

Among others, they also urged the NEC to take up with the ministry to set up consulates of the People’s Republic of China, Bangladesh, Thailand, Bhutan and Myanmar at Guwahati. An international tourism circuit may be created by opening air-routes from Guwahati linking Kathmandu, Dhaka, Yangoon, Bangkok and Singapore, they added.