Britain Interested In Business With Mizoram

Aizawl, Jan 31 : The British Government has evinced keen interest in doing business with Mizoram. British Deputy High Commissioner for Eastern India Sanjay Wadvani told media persons here today that his main purpose of visit Mizoram was to explore trade avenues where his country and the State may be able to work together.

“My main purpose (of visit) was fact finding, to find more about what is happening economically and politically and to identify areas where we can work together,” the diplomat told reporters over lunch.
Wadvani expressed concern that the entire Northeast, despite its huge potential in different sectors, remained unknown to the British investors and tourists. This, he believed, was mainly because of lack of publicity and the insurgency problems.

“Only a few British tourists visit the Northeast, including Mizoram. I hope if the huge potential in tourism was properly tapped, Mizoram’s natural beauty will attract more and more tourists in the future,” Wadvani said. Wadvani agreed that Mizoram has huge potential in eco-tourism but lacks tourism infrastructure such as accommodations. He observed that there was considerable scope of collaboration in two particular areas –– environment or green technology and education.

“My colleagues will also visit Mizoram in the days to come. We will ask British companies to venture into the State,” he said. Prior to the meeting, the British diplomat had met Mizoram Governor Lt Gen (Rtd.) M M Lakhera and industries minister S Hiato separately.

The governor informed the British diplomat how Mizoram could benefit from the border trade with Bangladesh and Myanmar and India’s Look East Policy, the State’s rich potential in gas and oil, hydro-electricity and organic farming.

Wadvani also met Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla at the latter’s office today. They agreed to find ways to rope the British companies doing business in mainland India into the Northeast, including Mizoram.