Our Correspondent
Imphal, Oct. 13 (EMN): Manipur Governor Najma Heptulla on Saturday stressed on the importance of learning Mandarin and other oriental languages by North Eastern youths to establish better business relations with China and other ASEAN countries through the Act East Policy.
Multi-skill training centres need to have ‘language labs’ to deliver training on Burmese, Mandarin and other oriental languages which will be of immense help in penetrating business and maintaining diplomatic relations with Myanmar and China, she said.
Dr. Heptulla was speaking as the chief guest at a one-day seminar on “Skilling the youth in the wake of Indias Act East policy from North East perspectives.”
Saying that trade and commerce is booming in the region due to connectivity with ASEAN and China, she said youth of the region need to get skill development training in relevant trades to support the cross-border trade and business.
The governor said the growth of the Northeast region will not only enhance Indian economy but also cultivate two sided assimilation with SE Asian nations and the
Eastern countries.
The region plays an important factor in the country’s Act East Policy as it will serve as a “big economic corridor” connecting the country with ASEAN countries as well as China, the governor said.
Heptulla also emphasized that the region needs to take urgent initiatives in the field railways, highways, logistics, ware housing, business management and banking system.
The governor said the region of natural resources in the form of oil, natural gas, coal and limestone and others besides being gifted with water system of rivers and its tributaries.
She further said that the region has boundless tourism potentiality, typical performing arts and handicrafts amid others thereby placing it a “perfect position” for its development as a centre for dealing in trade and commerce with India’s eastern neighbours.
India is heading towards becoming the World’s fastest growing economy and is expected to become the youngest country by 2020 with 64% of its population in the working age group, the governor said.
The Government of India has ambitious plans to transform India into a competitive, high-growth, high productivity middle-income country by using this young workforce which accounts to only 2.3 per cent receiving some formal skill training at present. To address the issue and bridge the gap, skill development has emerged as a priority sector, she added.
Dr. Swaran Anil, patron of the Integrated Talent Development Mission (ITDM) said, the mission is involved with the youths and to enhance their skills with the coming of the Act East Policy.
Deputy Speaker Kongkham Robindro Singh said that youths should take the opportunity of the seminar and try to help in the development of the region. “Though we have manpower there is lack of skills amongst the youths,” he lamented.
