Kiren Rijiju expresses need for north eastern states to trade with neighbouring countries

SHILLONG: Union Minister Kiren Rijiju today expressed the need for north eastern states to trade with neighbouring countries to rejuvenate the economy of the people in the region.

"98 per cent of the region is connected with the neighbouring countries and only 2 per cent is connected with the main land through the Siliguri corridor and it is imperative that the region has trade relations with these countries," Union Minister of State for Home Rijiju told the Cooperative Summit organized by the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC).

The minister said he had already taken up with other stakeholders like the Customs and Ministry of Trade and Commerce in this regard.

He also laid emphasis to have at least two ports in every state in order to trade with the neighbouring countries.

He said cooperative movement should be able to empower the people of the region economically by exchanging goods and services within the region.

The minister also said that he would study the reports of the Summit and take corrective measures to take the cooperative movement forward across the country.

Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Cooperation, Mohanbhai Kalaynjibhai Kundaria said that there was huge potential for development of cooperatives in the North East.