Northeast Bhutan Air Connectivity Soon

Guwahati, Mar 24  : In what could boost connectivity and bilateral trade between Northeast India and Bhutan, the air connectivity project between the two regions is likely to get finalized in May-June of this year, paving the way for Druk Air flights from Paro to Bangkok via Guwahati.

Head of a Bhutanese business delegation to the Northeast, Chen Chen Dorji, while interacting with the media here, said that the process, earlier scheduled to start from this month itself, is awaiting the security clearance and cabinet approval.

Dorji, who is also the vice president of the Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the 19-member team of business delegates from Bhutan today participated in an interactive seminar on ‘Enhancing trade relations between Bhutan and Northeast India’ organized by the NEDFi.

Emphasizing the need of better connectivity between the two countries to boost the trade ties, he said that primarily the Druk Air would fly the route thrice a week. “The venture would pave the way for the interest of aviation companies from India to start more flights on this route,” he added.

On the key areas identified by the delegation to start business with the Northeast, he said that education is one potential field for the business group of Northeast to invest in Bhutan.

“Moreover, as the security condition has improved in the region, it would be convenient for our students to come to the Northeastern India for higher education rather than going to the far south of India, Pune, Bangalore, Delhi, etc.,” he mentioned.

“Bhutan has always shared a cordial relationship with the NE region which was snapped for some period due to security reasons. Between the Governments of both the countries, relations are very pleasant, but efforts should be made from the Northeastern side to improve people to people relations,” he further mentioned.

Identifying the other key areas of mutual tie-ups, he said that apart from education, information and technology, hydro power, tourism and health sector would be ideal for trade relations between both the countries.

The NEDFi co-coordinated the visit of Bhutanese delegates with support from the Ministry of Development of the North Eastern Region (DoNER).

In another event, the Jikdrel Entertainment, a leading cultural group of Bhutan, will perform a show at the ongoing Assam International Trade Fair on March 25 evening.