Northeast India- ASEAN connectivity on Investment, Trade and Tourism


                

Global analysts have predicted that more co-operations amongst India, China and Southeast Asian nations will bring about a rapid economic growth affecting positive changes in the standard of living of the people of these nations. If such a development takes place, together they will be able to place themselves as a formidable economic block. This requires a sincere regional cooperation among these nations in all aspects like policy, economic and cultural development. The key objective of regional co-operation in trade is to achieve more rapid growth through improvement in network and connectivity through road and transport communication and logistic infrastructure. Regional co-operation amongst these geographically contiguous countries is expected to facilitate trade relation by fruitfully mobilizing local resources and fully utilizing them. However, the moot issue is to travel smooth and safe, trouble-free transport of goods, hassle free visa and travel documents and other facilities.

What is North East India? And where is Northeast India? These are some questions that often arise in inquisitive minds living outside the region. To many in mainland India and foreigners alike, Northeast is no more than a land of mountains, rivers, rains, floods and of course the morning cup of tea. To others it is a vast jungle inhabited by slothful rhinos, insidious tigers, head hunting tribes and the trigger happy Insurgents ready to shoot at the slightest provocation. As eminent parliamentarian Hem Baruah once truly wrote “Northeast to most people is mentally a distant horizon like Bolivia or Peru, less known and more fancied”. 

We want to break away from that cliché and project northeast as a business and favourite tourist destinations. We want to explore the opportunities that lie ahead for Northeast in conjunction with India’s ‘Look East’/Act East policy and become a part of an International Trade route connecting West Asia to East Asia via the Indo-Myanmar land corridor. We want to tell and show the world about the positive changes happening in the North East India with regards to trade, ease of doing business, tourism and connectivity. That is the prime reason for organising the North East India Festival in Bangkok, Thailand, focussing on enhancing bilateral/multilateral relations and promotions of Culture, Tourism and Trade with all the ASEAN countries and NE India.
                
Why Thailand?            

India and Thailand are located in each other's extended neighbourhood; share a maritime boundary in the Andaman Sea. India's bilateral relations with Thailand are rooted in history, age-old social and cultural interactions and extensive people to people contacts. The shared link of Buddhism is reflected in regular pilgrimages to places of Buddhist interest in India by a large number of Thai people. Hindu elements can be found among those reflected in Thai architecture, arts, sculpture, dance, drama and literature. The Thai language incorporates Pali and Sanskrit influences. A large Indian Diaspora living and working in Thailand is another important bond.
In the past two decades, with regular political exchanges, growing trade and investment, India's ties with Thailand have now evolved into a comprehensive partnership. India's 'Act East' policy has been complemented by Thailand's 'Look West' policy in bringing the two countries closer. Both countries are important regional partners linking South and Southeast Asia. They cooperate closely in the ASEAN, East Asia Summit (EAS) and BIMSTEC groupings as also Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC), Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) and Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). The India-AESAN Agreement on Trade in Goods was implemented in January 2010 and the India-ASEAN FTA in Services and Investments was signed in September 2014 and came into force in July 2015. The establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015 is a major milestone in the regional economic integration agenda in ASEAN, offering opportunities in the form of a huge market of US$2.6 trillion and over 622 million people. In 2014, AEC was collectively the third largest economy in Asia and the seventh largest in the world. Thailand is the second largest economy in Southeast Asia and it has played a pivotal role in ASEAN movement and more so, because of its geographical and strategic locations in the whole of Malai peninsula.
Why is the state of Assam important for strong ties between the Northeast, Thailand and Southeast Asia?
Historically, Assam had strong cultural ties with Southeast Asia. The Ahom dynasty that ruled Assam for 600 years and modernised it was started by King Sukapha who came from Southeast Asia in the 13th century.

The state has fertile land, abundant rainfall and is a producer of different fruits and spices. It has potential for agro-processing industries. The world famous Assam silk is produced here. The state also has the highest concentration of bamboo resources that gives employment to a large number of people in the handicrafts and eco-friendly products industry. With the worldwide shift towards green and sustainable consumer goods, the state has potential for creating products on a profitable yet sustainable basis.

The famous Assam tea is produced here. The state has more than 300 tea gardens and more than a million small tea growers.

The state is dotted with old-colonial style and historical heritage buildings. It has about 20 golf courses. The world’s first petroleum refinery was set up in Digboi. Assam has 4 refineries and vast natural gas resources.

Guwahati, the capital city of Assam is uniquely placed as a gateway to the Northeast states. It takes the same time to fly to Bangkok as it takes to fly to Delhi from Guwahati. Many ASEAN capitals are within 2000 kms of the city. The Government plans to make it connected internationally with focus on the ASEAN countries. Currently, international flights from the city take two and half hours to reach Bangkok. More flights to other ASEAN countries are being planned. The Asian Highway No. 1 that is being constructed to connect India with Myanmar, Thailand and other ASEAN countries runs through the state.

The state has nearly 20 million employable youth who can become a formidable workforce. They are skilled, adept in IT, and have good English language and communication skills.

The climate of the region is temperate which allows for both summer and winter agricultural produces.
Being a part of the lower Himalayan region, and with the might Brahmaputra river flowing through two of the largest states in the region, the Northeast is a tourists’ heaven. Natural caves, waterfalls, rope bridges, the cleanest village in the world, the largest riverine Island in the world, the one-horned rhino, Kaziranga Natural Park, Manas Tiger Reserve and natural park,  Jatinga- the only place where migratory birds mysteriously commit suicide- these are a few of the many attractions of the region. Adventure sports has huge potential in the area because of its natural landforms of lush green valleys, hills and the rapids of the mountain rivers. The tourism industry in the region is poised to take a huge leap forward in the coming years.  The Assam government has also announced incentives for the film industry to encourage making movies in the state.

The stable political environment, favourable government policies, infrastructure development and the natural resources of the region make it one of the most attractive destinations for investment. The stage is now ready for interested investors to explore avenues for investment in the region.

Contact details:-
S. M. Farid
Trade Consultant ( ASEAN Region)
+91 98640 28318 ( India)
+66 850 986 141 ( Thailand)
e-mail:- shahfarid90@gmail.com / shahinternational11@yahoo.com / ettccl@gmail.com












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