Guwahati/Calcutta, Nov. 4: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) proposes to undertake a major programme aimed at facilitating trade and investment in the Northeast.

This was disclosed by Hans Peter Brunner, senior economist of ADB, at a programme on ?Opportunities and Possibilities of Investment in the Northeast? organised by Indian Chamber of Commerce in Calcutta yesterday.

Brunner said the bank wants to put in place an enabling mechanism for increase of trade volume from the Northeast as a number of infrastructure projects in the region, including road improvement, has already been taken up.

The programme is aimed at identifying core sectors for creation of trade and investment. He stated that it would be important to support a supply chain and hence the bank would put in place a value chain analysis. It would also examine the development of infrastructure that would support the supply chain.

He said some of the components of the programme would include an export support facility, supply chain development fund, entrepreneurial training and would also look at upgradation of institutions, infrastructure, research and development, finance and marketing.

The ADB will provide technical assistance, policy loans to improve legal and business environment as well as grants for the upgradation of business. ?The establishment of a guarantee financing facility is also being considered,? he said.

President of Indian Chamber of Commerce, Umang Kanoria, said opportunities in the Northeast need to be supported by appropriate policies that would allow the region to chart its economic future, keeping in mind the unique challenges of the region.

?We must empower the region to enhance its competitive strengths so that they can run against the best and yet have a chance of winning the contest,? he added.

The chamber had organised two business summits in Mumbai and New Delhi to showcase the competitive advantages of the resource-rich Northeast, which has led to specific business investments in the region.

Kanoria said the constituent states of the Northeast could no longer be viewed in isolation and the chamber has been ardent and proactive advocate of regional economic co-operation, recognising that the region together with its neighbours, constitute a formidable market. ?That is a market which can change economic dynamics as far as investments are concerned,? he added.