Siliguri, Nov. 14: The Sikkim and West Bengal governments will hold a joint high-level meeting by the first week of December to chalk out plans to help re-open Nathu-la.

The proposals will then be placed before the Centre for approval. The suggestions include conferring Bagdogra airport international status and opening pilgrimage tourism to Kailash and Mansarovar.

State industry minister Nirupam Sen and urban development minister Asok Bhattacharya today rounded off their visit to Sikkim to explore trade possibilities with Tibet/China and a recce of the Nathu-la with a news conference in Siliguri.

“Though the 57 km all-weather Gangtok-Nathu-la road was good, it needs to be developed for major trading activities,” they told media persons.

Terming their talks with Sikkim chief minister Pawan Chamling “cordial and fruitful”, Sen said: “Though India and China have not finalised the commodities that will be sent across the border pass, we are looking at exports of agro-based products to Tibet. North Bengal, with its abundance of agro-products, has a bright future. Dabur India will invest a substantial amount at a Bio-tech farm to be jointly set up by Dabur and an American concern at Mungpoo in the Darjeeling hills.”

“The opening of Nathu-la has tremendous tourism and trade potential among Saarc countries. We will propose that at least two flights between Bagdogra and Paro in Bhutan, and Kathmandu, be introduced. Both Sikkim and Bengal will look forward to a competitive advantage of the trade between the Asian giants,” he added.

Speaking about the problems of the tea industry of north Bengal, Sen said: “We have formed a high-level experts’ committee to look into the problems of the industry. The committee is expected to submit its report to the government by the end of December. Though the government alone cannot revive the industry, it can act as facilitator.”