Siliguri, Aug. 3. - The resumption of Sino-Indian trade
through Nathu la will be to the country's benefit, Sikkim chief minister
Mr. Pawan Chamling said here today.
He said the state government will
open two by pass roads - connecting Siche Basti to Raniport (34
km stretch road) and Malli to Mamring (19 km stretch road) - which,
according to him, will accelerate trade activities in the region.
Mr. Chamling said the proposed trade route can serve as a stepping
stone for both countries to improve their relations. He said business
through Nathu la will be to North Bengal's advantage as it will
usher in new opportunities for the region
Mr. Chamling who recently visited the pass along with members of
his ministry, said extensive infrastructural development was required
for Sikkim and Nathu la in particular to make flourishing Sino-Indian
trade a reality. `I have asked the officials of my government
to prepare a comprehensive project on how to develop the state's
infrastructure,` the chief minister said today. With the opening
of the trade route via Nathu la, the development of Sikkim should
be done from the defence and security angles, he said.
Mr. Chamling said that with the opening of the trade route, trade
activities on National Highways as well as between Kolkata and Nathu
la would increase. He said development activities were yet to be
started and this would require theme.
`The state ministers have started holding talks with the traders
of Sikkim for their suggestions on the development of infrastructure
in the state regarding trade,` the chief minister said, adding
that he will also hold talks with Siliguri traders.
Asked about the requirement of funds from the centre, Mr. Chamling
said the government has been organising a two month long study to
finalise the required allocation. After the completion of the study,
the state government would make a master plan, he said.
He said the government will make a master plan to develop a market
and tourist spot at Tsongo. He said Sikkim's idea was to assure
maximum benefit and minimum fall out.
Mr. Chamling evaded comments on the type of trade that may be expected.
he said: `If China can produce quality products and sell them
at a lower price, why not our country? Now we are also a part of
the global market. So we will have to try and compete with China
in terms of both quality and price.` He said that in the year
2001-2002 India had exported products worth $925.94 million to China
where as during the same period India had imported products worth
$2,038 million from China.
It can be mentioned that recently the Union Nation's Conference
for Trade and Development (UNCTAD) had asked the Sikkim Government
to set up a World Trade.
Office Centre of Excellence to help preparing the state in meeting
the challenges of globalization
The UNCTAD project coordinator Ms. Veena Jha recently said the centre
would support the state's ministries of industry and commerce and
the policy makers through researched technical inputs. |
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