Rs 12 cr sanctioned for border trade in NE

GUWAHATI, April 24 ? Encouraged by the increasing volume of trade between Assam and Bangladesh during the past several years, the Centre has sanctioned Rs 12 crore for development of two trade points in the State. The fund has been sanctioned for Sutarkandi and Mankachar in order to upgrade the existing infrastructure. Highly placed official sources told The Assam Tribune that the State industry department had already initiated work to develop the Sutarkandi point keeping in view the trade potential in the State. ?We have received Rs 1 crore so far for setting up a truck terminus and bank facilities in the Sutarkandi point,? they said, adding that the developmental work of Mancachar would be taken up soon. They also expressed the hope that the State Government would be able to garner more revenue from these points in coming days as export has been gaining momentum. ?The young entrepreneurs are now engaged in exporting ginger, fruits, onion, garlic and other products to Bangladesh which is likely to boost revenue in the State,? source said. According to official statistics, during 1998-99 the export figure in the Sutarkandi point was recorded over Rs 35 crore, while during 1999-2000 and 2000-01 the export had touched Rs 41 crore and Rs 43 crore respectively. The sources revealed that the Indian products have a good market in Bangladesh for which young entrepreneurs have now come forward in this sector. Giving move information in this regard the sources informed that the developmental work in the trade points would be completed as early as possible with an eye on enhancing the level of export in the State. It may be recalled that there are as many as 32 border trade points in the North-east, of which very few are operating. Moreh in Manipur is one of the major trade points in the region in which the Centre has already upgraded the infrastructure in a bid to enhance revenue in the State.