GUWAHATI, Dec 6 ? Indian Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) vice-president Jawahar Ghadiok has favoured setting up of tourism villages in the important tourist destinations in the North-east to attract both foreign and domestic tourists into the region.
Addressing a seminar on ?Emerging opportunities in the North-east? jointly organized by the State Bank of India (SBI) and the Federation of Industries & Commerce of North Eastern Region (FINER) here today, Ghadiok said that despite vast resources, tourism industry is yet to pick up in the region.
Giving the rationale behind the poor tourism sector, he revealed that transportation bottleneck has remained a major problem in the North-east which has slowed down the growth of tourism sector. ?We must focus on improving the transportation system to attract the tourists,? he observed.
On tourism scenario in the North-east India he said that the flow of tourists in the region has been declining gradually as there is no proper infrastructure. ? We must have air links with South East Asian countries besides helicopter services so that tourism industry can grow rapidly.
Participating in the seminar noted economist Dr Jayanta Madhab also laid emphasis on improving the existing road communication system in the region. In this context ,he observed that poor communication has remained an acute problem in the region for which trade is yet to gain momentum.
?Transportation system linking North East markets should be given priority by the authorities concerned to give a boost to the trade?, Dr Madhab said. On poor industrial growth in the North East, the noted economist suggested initiating steps to set up industries based on local resources. ? We have to change our mindset to achieve higher growth in the industrial sector?, he added.
Chandan Bhattacharya, managing director, State Bank of India (SBI), asserted that SBI is ready to extend funds to any viable project in the region. ?For SBI fund is not a hindrance, but we should get viable projects for smooth extending of loans ?, he informed.
Participating in the seminar , director FINER , Sudip Dey urged the banking sector operating in the North East to extend funds for the industry. ? Though this region shares a huge stretch of border with the neighbouring countries, we have not been able to reap the benefit in the field of trade. To improve the trade we need to upgrade the present infrastructure?, he said.
The seminar was inaugurated by the Governor, Lt Gen (Retd), Ajai Singh and it was also attended by senior officials of the state government, banks and companies.