GUWAHATI: The Centre had been working on developing a Trans-Asia Highway to ensure more dynamic route connectivity for the Northeastern states with the Asean countries, Union Commerce and Industry Minister, Mr Anand Sharma said in Guwahati on Saturday.

After a meeting with the industry ministers of the NE states, here on Saturday he told newsmen that the government is keen to ensure better connectivity for the NE region with the Asean countries to bring about a dynamic change in the development of the region.
“Route connectivity is the key to development of the region and with this view in mind we are keen to develop the Trans-Asia Highway and also look at new and better routes connecting the region with Southeast Asia,” he said, adding it is with this aim that two border hats and 14 integrated border customs posts have been set up in the region. The government has also successfully negotiated with Bangladesh to use two of their ports for trade.
Mr Sharma said his ministry has also given special emphasis to remove infrastructural bottlenecks in the region and during the 11th Plan, Rs 31,000 crore has been sanctioned for this sector. The Central plan also lays special emphasis on the plantation sector with focus on tea, coffee, spices, bamboo and rubber, he said, adding a special tea package of Rs 150 crore has been already announced for this fiscal and this is likely to be raised in coming years.
Mr Sharma further said a rubber park is being set up in Tripua. “We have urged the states to encourage setting up of agro-based industries. The plantation sector has been affected due to structural issues and the Centre has adopted a focused approach for the restoration and rejuvenation of this industry,” Mr Sharma said.
The Centre is keen to ensure industrialisation and economic expansion in the Northeast with the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh taking the initiative in this regard, he said.
With a view to accelerate economic development for creation of economic and employment opportunities, the Centre would release a transport subsidy of Rs 200 crore, central interest subsidy of Rs 40 crore and capital investment subsidy of Rs 31 crore in this fiscal.