Port Blair, Sept 27: The Executive Committee and other members of Andaman Chamber of Commerce and Industry held a business meet on 26th September at TSG Conference Hall, Port Blair, with the visiting ambassadors and officials from ASEAN countries which included Myanmar, Thailand, Brunei, Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos. During the discussion, it was emphasized by both sides that the potential of the geographical closeness of the A&N Islands vis. a vis. ASEAN nations, has never been tapped. The time is, therefore, now right, that in line with the Government of India policy, linkages between A&N Islands and ASEAN should be strengthened for mutual benefit and development of trade and commerce in the region. As a first step towards this effort, a consensus was established in the meeting, that connectivity by air and sea is the first step for initiating any exchange. Therefore, the airlines and shipping companies of these nations must be encouraged to start operations and the Governments should provide necessary incentives for doing so. Such connectivity will lead to import of construction materials(stone, cement, sand etc.), fruits and vegetables and other essentials into the A&N Islands from and also aid in export of marine products which have a captive market in these nations. It was also decided in the meeting that the visiting Ambassadors would facilitate business to business meetings with ACCI and the Chambers of Commerce and business houses in their respective countries so that the potential of business including trade, tourism, fisheries could be further explored and relationships can be built, a release issued by Mr. Surendra Prahladka, President ACCI said here.
