NE India and Italy eye business ties

Italy is looking forward at developing bilateral business and trade ties with North-East India. The Kolkata-based consulate of the west European nation has identified food processing, infrastructure and energy as three sectors where bilateral relations could be developed.

"To start-with, I think we can primarily work on three sectors, food processing, energy and infrastructure, to build bilateral relationship with North-East India," said Cesare Bieller, consul general of Italy.

He added: "I cannot deny that there isn't much business opportunity in North East. Also, the awareness level regarding this region is far less amongst the business community in Italy compared to other regions of India. But, I feel there exists great potential in food processing, energy and infrastructure in this region. My job is to pass on the message to the business community in my country so that business and trade relations could take-off."

Bieller was in Guwahati today and had an interactive session with a group of journalists under the banner of Federation of Industry and Commerce of North Eastern Region (FINER).

Bieller, however, had a word of caution for the food processing sector of North-East. Citing the recent ban on alphonso mangoes by EU, he said Italy, along with other European nations, adhere to strict quality checks when it comes to import of food products. "You need to ensure certain standards. These are requirements you cannot avoid. Ensure the quality of what you grow and what you produce meet our standards," Bieller said.

The North-East's industry is looking forward at attracting technology from Italy, particularly in the food processing sector. "We have potential in food processing industry. What we need most to exploit that potential is technology. We also want some sort of buyback arrangement so that investors is ensured, at least in the initial years, that selling his products would not be a problem," said RS Joshi, chairman of FINER.

FINER has also urged upon the consul general to press upon the Union government to ease ATA Carnet norms for North-Eastern states of India. ATA Carnet is an international uniform customs document which permits duty free temporary admission of goods especially for exhibition and showcasing purpose. "We would want food products be included under ATA Carnet for North-East as then only it would be of much help for us. We would also want Guwahati international airport to be authorised to avail ATA Carnet facilities," said Joshi.