Tarun Gogoi made 18 official foreign visits since 2001

GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has officially made 18 foreign trips since coming to power in 2001, the state Assembly was informed today.

Replying to a query during the Question Hour on the first day of the Winter Session of the Assembly, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Nilamani Sen Deka said a total of Rs 43,44,353 have been spent by the government exchequer in these trips.

Gogoi visited 18 different nations on official tour in equal number of trips, he added.

Answering on behalf of the Chief Minister, Deka said one agreement was signed between state and foreign institute in all these visits abroad.

"During the CM's visit to the US, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between The Earth Institute, Columbia University and Assam State Disaster Management Authority," the Minister said.

Deka said Gogoi did not undertake any foreign trip between 2001 and 2004, and his first foreign visit was to Indonesia and Singapur.

Besides, the Chief Minister has travelled to Canada, UK, Italy, Sri Lanka, US, China, Switzerland, France, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Spain, Belgium, South Korea, Japan, Vietnam and Thailand.

Deka said apart from the official visits, Gogoi toured a few more times to foreign nations on personal count.