Kolkata, Sep 3 (UNI) The Centre will spend Rs 50,000 crore in the next five years for road connectivity in the North Eastern region, Union Minister of Development of North Eastern Region (DONER) and Panchayati Raj Mani Shankar Aiyer today said.

Speaking at a conference of exporters belonging to the Shellac and Forest Products Export Promotion Council and Calcutta Chamber of Commerce in the city, Mr Aiyer said it was essential to develop road links in the region for its allround development.

He also emphasised the need for laying railway tracks across the Barak valley in Assam to Mizoram.

Mr Aiyer said his Ministry was ready to extend all assistance for increasing forest products besides cultivation of medicinal and horticultural plants so that the people were economically benefited.

Describing the North East as the gateway to the South East Asia, the Minister said improvement of Guwahati-Bangkok link would open up explosive business opportunities leading to to the overall development of the region.

The development of these states would pave way for regional cooperation with countries like Thailand, he said.

Mr Aiyer also handed over field kits to the members of self help groups, involved in lac cultivation. He urged exporters to encourage these groups since they had potential for export earnings.

UNI