Port Blair, Dec 20: Based on Honourable Prime Minister of India’s vision of act east policy Nicobar Chamber of Commerce & Industry (NCCI) and Youth Chamber of Commerce & Industry (YCCI) acted upon quick to initiate talks with trade body, Joint Business Council Aceh-India (JBC), and made a visit this August to Aceh province of Indonesia which is the closest point to the Nicobar Islands.
The business delegation from NCCI led by Mr. Rashid Yusoof (President) and YCCI led by Mr. Tanveer Singh (President) was to understand the ground reality, infrastructure and resources available with both counterparts to establish trade between the two countries.
Further, It comes as a good news to our islanders that following various interactions and events between the two governments and the stand of the present AN Administration is very much on the same line as has been spelt out by our Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi on his recent visit to Indonesia and efforts from NCCI and YCCI now that the 2nd Joint Task Force Meeting was held at Port Blair from 18.12.2022 to 20.12.2022 where delegations from both side headed by JatmikoHeruPrasetyo, Director for South & Central Asian Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Republic of Indonesia and Mr. Vishvas Sapkal, Joint Secretary (South), Ministry Of External Affairs by India had a 2 day meeting discussing various points to enhance connectivity between A & N islands and Aceh Province.
Subsequent to continuous dialogue and discussion between both government and trade bodies namely JBC from Aceh province of Indonesia and NCCI and YCCI from ANI, the dream of big opportunities seems to be changing to reality.
The delegation’s visit in August by NCCI AND YCCI was as a result of an invitation from JBC headed by Mr. Almer Havis Sandy and the local government. On the trip the delegation was made to explore various trade opportunities in different sectors and surveyed on ground technicalities and infra available to kick start trade. There were also MOU signed between JBC and NCCI supported by YCCI to initiate first trade between Nicobar Islands and Banda Aceh/Sabang as a mark of friendship while starting trade relations.
Extensive meetings were held with government bodies and Bank of Indonesia to see how could our local businessmen from islands and mainland India be facilitated to start trade and likely invest in Aceh province. Keen support and enthusiasm was shown by both sides to participate and suggest on India Indonesia policy to make it more cohesive which is now happening in the form of 2nd Joint Task Force Meeting, where both NCCI and YCCI have jointly welcomed the efforts of JBC in Aceh-Indonesia to taking this discussion further and making the suggestions and helping government on both sides help formulate a policy.
NCCI and YCCI appreciated all the efforts made by A & N Administration and thanked the Andaman Nicobar Administration under the dynamic leadership of Chief Secretary Mr. Keshav Chandra, IAS that a very positive message has been sent to our counterpart JBC in Indonesia, moreover NCCI and YCCI has also thanked Government of India under the supreme leadership of Prime Minister of India.
NCCI and YCCI alongside JBC are in continuous efforts to facilitate businessmen from both parts of the world to make use of this opportunity, particularly in sectors of trade & investment, tourism & culture exchange, and education for strengthening long-term partnership between Aceh and ANI, a release issued by Mr. Tanveer Singh, President, Youth Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Mr. Rashid Yusoof, President, the Nicobar Chamber of Commerce & Industry said here today.
