Guwahati: The Asean countries on Sunday called for more trade relations with the Northeast while the Asian Development Bank (ADB) suggested that the model adopted by China to promote Yunan province could be used to develop Assam.

"The Northeast is the first landmass where Asean begins as we share an 1,800km border with Bangladesh and a 1,500km border with Myanmar. The capitals of eight Asean countries are just two hours away from here by air and so Assam is in the most advantageous position to make it as a business hub. China has taken advantage of its proximity to Asean but we are yet to reap the benefits," additional chief secretary, industry department of Assam, Ravi Capoor, said at a session on trade relations with Asean India and BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal ) countries, on the final day of Advantage Assam, the global investors' summit organised by the Assam government here.

Nearly 200 delegates from 23 countries, including those from the Asean countries and delegates from the US, Japan, Germany, Czech Republic, Israel and UAE, took part in the two-day summit.

Country director of the ADB (India Resident Mission), Kenichi Yokoyama, said China's Yunan province and Assam had similarities as both were landlocked and rich in natural resources.

"China transformed Yunan province by connecting it with Myanmar, Thailand and a few other neighbouring countries and doing very good business. India can replicate the Yunan province model to promote Assam the same way," he said.

Assam industry minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said the summit was organised to invite investment and boost business between the Northeast and the Asean countries.

Anurag Bhushan, the joint secretary of the ministry of external affairs, said the trilateral highway project was likely to be operational next year while work on the Kaladan project was under way.

Laos deputy minister of culture and tourism Khaopanh and Myanmar industry minister Than Myint invited Indian companies to invest in their countries in the tourism sector.

"Value chain between Bhutan, Northeast India and Bangladesh is possible in Bhutan in energy-intensive industries such as iron, steel and hydel power," said Bhutan's minister of economic affairs Lyonpo Lekey Dorji.

Representatives from Cambodia, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Niti Aayog chief executive officer, Amitabh Kant and DoNER secretary Naveen Verma, among others, attended the conclave.

Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal said the state government was eager to start flights between Guwahati and the Asean countries and requested the Asean countries to do the same.