BUDGET 2000
SPECIALS
INTERVIEWS
COMMENTARY
GOVT&ECONOMY
Y2K: BIZ FEATURES
INDIA & THE WTO
CREDIT POLICY
BIZ IN THE USA
CARS & MOBIKES
MANAGEMENT
CASE STUDY
BIZ-QUIZ
USEFUL INFO
ARCHIVES
NEWSLINKS
SEARCH REDIFF

'Opening of Nathula Pass for trade will boost Sino-Indian ties'

Opening of Nathula Pass in Sikkim for trade with China will be a very positive development, according to US Consul General Christopher J Sandrolini.

Participating in an interactive session in Clacutta, the consul general said the indication given to this effect by Calcutta Port Trust chairman H P Roy and subsequent activities at the Ministry of Home hint at the opening up of the area for trade with China.

"I feel that this combination has some important material and symbolic affect. It means that two countries leaving behind their differences are trying to do business," he said.

"If that happens, it will be a very positive development," he added.

Sandrolini also said there was urgent need to speed up infrastructure development in eastern India, especially in the areas of port, road and power. He said that the region would soon have an important role in trade development in South-East Asia.

He said presently turnaround time of ships in India for loading and unloading is in terms of days, but in Singapore it is in terms of hours and that needs improvement.

The consul general said India's eastern region would play an important role in the circle of possible trade linkages with China, Burma, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka, with Calcutta as the centre.

This optimism was based on considerations that in terms of land area and population, eastern India ranks second and was on top in tea, jute, coal iron ore and bauxite production.

In power generating capacity the region ranks fourth and in highways and seaports infrastructure its position is third, he said adding West Bengal can easily be one of the most prosperous in India.

UNI

Business