The World Bank has sanctioned Rs 980 crore to dredge the Brahmaputra as an initiative to develop waterways to Bangladesh and to other South East Asian countries in a bid to boost trade and industry in the Northeast.

• “Opening up of the Brahmaputra waterways for trade will lead to a reduction in the cost of transportation of goods and will ultimately result in Assam becoming a export hub for the South East Asian countries,” Assam Industries and Commerce Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said during his address at the day-long North East Tea Conclave.

• The Centre’s Act East Policy has focused aggressively on trade with South East Asian countries and “opening up the waterways will be the first step in this direction,” the minister said.

• The minister said the Centre has also agreed to strengthen aerial connectivity within Assam by setting up more helipads so that tea growers, buyers, packagers and other manufacturers can interact without wasting much time.