GUWAHATI, OCTOBER 27: British Deputy High Commissioner Bruce Bucknell today said Assam has some of the “best” tea in the world and he will ask his fellow countrymen to drink higher quality leaf tea and less blended one.
“Tea remains one of the main businesses of Assam, but is very competitive and in some way it resembles the Scottish whisky industry with increasing competition from other types of beverages,” Bucknell said at an interactive session with members of the Confederation of Indian Industry and UK as partners in Technology and Innovation.
He pointed out that most companies have moved to exclusive niche areas and as such branding and developing of niche products was required.
“I will be very willing to tell my fellow Britons that Assam has some of the best tea in the world and that they should drink higher quality leaf tea and less blended teas,” the Deputy High Commissioner said.
He hoped that more British companies, technology institutions and tourists come to the north-east region. North-east India was closer to new emerging markets its proximity to Myanmar, Thailand and Bangladesh is a great asset for the region, Bucknell said.
The plans to improve interconnectivity and more infrastructure would also be an added premium.
“I will also like to hear about the obstacles to the development of the region beyond the geographical location or perhaps it is no longer an obstacle,” he said further inquiring about the main technologies needed for the development of Assam and the rest of the north-east region and in which areas Britain could provide the solution.
