Imphal, Oct 9: Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh has urged people of the state to work towards a developed state and a country.

The chief minister, who returned from the US and Thailand yesterday after attending the North East Investment Conference at New York and Bangkok, discussed the various issues with the media at his office here.

''The basic problem with India is that we are still using the old methods of agriculture, while most countries have adopted the mechanised methods,'' the CM said.

He appealed to the people to take the cue from the neighbouring countries like Singapore, Thailand, where trade was at its peak.

Asian countries were willing to come to northeast India and we need to focus on horticulture, power, tourism, information technology and food processing.

''We need good airports here since then the South East Asian countries will be an hour two away,'' he added.

The Tulihal airport at Imphal will have night landing facilities by this year-end, he said and added, ''Once the airport is developed, we can have a good relation with the neighbouring countries and boost the trade and improve economic ties.''

 

UNI