Date:07/03/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/03/07/stories/2007030701931500.htm

National

Trade delegation to review situation in northeast

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Union Commerce Ministry is to bring together chiefs of various commodity boards and the North East Council in Guwahati this week.

The meeting will be attended by Governors and Chief Ministers of the northeastern States and chaired by the Minister in charge of the Development of the North-Eastern Region (DONER), Mani Shankar Aiyar.

This is an initiative of Union Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh. The delegation leaving for Guwahati comprises chiefs of the Tea Board, Spices Board, Rubber Board, Coffee Board and Agricultural and Processed Foods Export Development Authority. They will make presentations on the activities of their organisations in the region and get feedback from the Chief Ministers.

Since he took over in February last year, Mr. Ramesh has been trying to revive the tea industry and expand spices, rubber, coffee and horticultural industries in the region.

Accounting for over half of India's tea production and about eight per cent of natural rubber cultivation, the region can emerge as a major producing centre for organic spices such as turmeric, ginger, pepper and cardamom, organic coffee and organic fruits and vegetables.

The Government has substantiallyliberalised freight subsidy for the movement of horticulture products from the northeast and is encouraging the setting up of cold-chain facilities at several airports in the region.