KOHIMA, May 19?The Centre has created an ?Export Development Fund (EPF)? with an aim to boost trade from the north-eastern region under the prime minister?s package of new initiative for the north-east, reports PTI. An official release received here said the development of trade and exports in the region, which borders countries such as Bangladesh, Bhutan, China and Myanmar, has been given priority by the Centre after the announcement of the specific set of measures under the ?PM?s action plan for the north-east? in January 2000.
The Centre has so far sanctioned Rs 7.95 crore for 21 projects to boost trade related activities in the region and the department of Commerce has introduced transport subsidy for horticultural produces under the EDF. Initially ten products have been identified for the transport subsidy in addition to bamboo and cane products from Tripura and, Kiwi, apple and pineapple from Arunachal Pradesh. Recognising the crucial need of infrastructure at important locations, a special scheme ?Critical Infrastructure Balance Scheme (CIBS)? has been implemented for providing the same at designatged pressure points.
An amount of Rs 55.03 crore has been sanctioned to Assam, Tripura, Mizoram and Meghalaya from CIBS for development of export infrastructure and other activities, the release said. An empowered committee under the chairmanship of Union Commerce secretary monitors and implements the measures for development of trade and exports in the north-east as per the action plan. The committee also monitors implementation of the recommendations of the task force on development of border trade and inter-country trade from the north eastern region, the release added.
Meanwhile, a two-day workshop-cum-awareness campaign on horticulture technology mission, which concluded at Dimapur yesterday, called for an integrated approach for development of horticulture sector in the north-east and Sikkim. Organized by Nagaland Horticulture department in collaboration with Union Agriculture ministry, the workshop was attended by representatives from all north eastern states, APEDA, NHB and experts, which deliberated upon various aspects of integrated development of horticulture and future strategies in the region, official sources said here today.
For development of entrepreneurship skills among the youths of the north eastern states, ministry of Small Scale Industries has been imparting training through number of Centrally sponsored schemes in the region, said a PIB release. The on-going schemes for small scale entrepreneurs are entrepreneurship development training, management development training, and skill development training. To upgrade their knowledge and skills, the ministry of Agro and Rural Industries and ministry of Textiles have been imparting training to the artisans of the region, the release added.