Imphal, January 11 : The North East Business Summit held at Kolkata on January 9 and 10 was a success, claimed DoNER Minister BK Handique who arrived at Imphal from Kolkata today to participate in Manipur University convocation.
However, he was not fully confident about the prospect of foreign investments in the North East region in the coming years.
On being asked whether the North East Business Summit could draw investors to the region, BK Handique said that it remains a big question in view of the problem of insurgency coupled with the fact that any investment would involve millions of dollars.
A healthy and conducive environment is needed as a pre-requisite, he chipped in.
Saying that cultural exchange programme between Myanmar and the North East region has been initiated and that cultural troupes of Myanmar have already visited Nagaland, Manipur and Assam, BK Handique said that his Ministry is arranging a reciprocal programme of sending cultural troupes of Manipur, Mizoram, Assam and Nagaland to Myanmar.
However, he was not fully confident about the prospect of foreign investments in the North East region in the coming years.
On being asked whether the North East Business Summit could draw investors to the region, BK Handique said that it remains a big question in view of the problem of insurgency coupled with the fact that any investment would involve millions of dollars.
A healthy and conducive environment is needed as a pre-requisite, he chipped in.
Saying that cultural exchange programme between Myanmar and the North East region has been initiated and that cultural troupes of Myanmar have already visited Nagaland, Manipur and Assam, BK Handique said that his Ministry is arranging a reciprocal programme of sending cultural troupes of Manipur, Mizoram, Assam and Nagaland to Myanmar.
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The DoNER Ministry has plans to organise cultural programmes not only with Myanmar but also with all other countries of South East Asia.
The next destination of the cultural exchange programme may be Thailand, he said.
Notably, Manipur Best Excellence Award in the field of sports, culture and health care at the North East Business Summit concluded yesterday at Kolkata.
After arriving at Imphal, the DoNER Minister visited National Sports Academy, Khuman Lampak Sports Complex, Nursing School Lamphel and Shija Hospital and Research Institute which was conferred the North East Excellence Award 2009 in the field of health care.
Later in the afternoon, BK Handique held a meeting with Chief Minister Okram Ibobi.
At Imphal airport, the DoNER Minister was received by Sports Minister N Biren, Works Minister K Ranjit, Deputy Chairman of State Planning Board Bijoy Koijam and Chief Secretary DS Poonia.
BK Handique who visited Shija Hospital and Research Institute this evening together with Sports Minister N Biren and Chief Secretary DS Poonia was visibly impressed with the facilities available at the institute.
He said "this is a real achievement".
From their side, the Shija Hospital authority offered their service in health care sector in Bhutan where there is acute shortage of doctors although requisite infrastructure are present.
Making a proposal for inclusion of health care sector in the Indo-Myanmar border trade, Shija Hospital sought cooperation from the Government in building hospitals in Myanmar.
Saying that they can provide health care service at the cheapest rate provided there is some assistance from the Govt, the Shija Hospital authority submitted a five point memorandum to the DoNER Minister.
The points of the memorandum are establishment of a nursing college, setting up of a women and child hospital, building an oxygen plant, opening of blood bank and establishment of a regional heart care centre.
Sports Minister N Biren emphasised the importance of setting up an oxygen plant in view of the high rates of bandhs and blockades witnessed in the State.