Sunday, October 30 2005 14:23 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Palatana (South Tripura): Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today (Oct 29, 2005) said that as trade with neighboring countries was expanding, India was going to sign a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the ASEAN region soon.

The North Eastern region of the country could act as a bridge to the dynamic and fast growing South East Asia, Singh said while speaking at the foundation stone-laying ceremony of a 750 MW gas-based power plant here.

He also said that a similar agreement would take place with SAARC nations in the form of SAFTA.

He said that it was important that the existing barriers to trade to come down which would help the entire N-E region to catapult into the threshold of opportunity.

For this, he said the Center had decided to set up appropriate infrastructure facilities so that proper linkages with neighboring nations were established.

Singh said that he sincerely hoped that the Bangladesh Government would also consider re-establishing road and rail connectivity with India.

According to him, this would help in bringing win-win investment proposals in infrastructural development for both the countries.

The Prime Minister was accompanied by Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar and Petroleum and Natural Gas minister Mani Shankar Aiyar.

The Tripura Chief Minister said that the Center should consider setting up more infrastructure development projects in the state.