Gogoi calls for skill development for region's progress

Northeast India's abundant natural and mineral resources have to be utilised along with its human resources to ensure greater development of the region, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today said.
"New initiatives have to be taken to develop human resources for the region to progress and prosper and a way forward is through skill development," Gogoi said at the inaugural session of the two-day Northeast Connectivity Summit organised by FICCI, here.
He urged the private sector to play its part in the development of the region as "whatever is taking place is at the governmental level, but the situation now is much conducive for investments in the state and the private sector must come in a big way."

Gogoi said the state has huge potential in food processing, tourism and healthcare sectors and the private sector can reap the benefits by investing in these areas.
He said the 'Make in India' concept is not a new one, as India has been on the economic forefront over the years and was competing everywhere and making its presence felt.
Underscoring the need for rekindling ties with South East Asia and ASEAN countries, Gogoi said connectivity through road, air, railways and inland waterways have to be enhanced and upgraded to bring the Northeast region closer to South East Asian and ASEAN countries.

In this context, developing the inland waterways is cost effective and has tremendous scope of increasing the volume of trade and commerce between Northeast India and neighbouring countries like Bangladesh, he said.