The task force, which will suggest the necessary initiatives needed to facilitate trade, will comprise key stakeholders in the state governments of West Bengal and Sikkim, different ministries of Union government like road, shipping, civil aviation and tourism, as well as chambers of commerce in north Bengal and Sikkim. CEOs of Indian Inc who have exposure to China would be inducted as well.
CII has already drafted an approach paper on the Nathu-La trade route and circulated it among its members. Copies have been sent to the West Bengal government including chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya and commerce and industry minister Nirupam Sen.
The paper has identified north Bengal city Siliguri as the possible transhipment hub for trade via Nathu-La pass. Customs, warehousing and storage and freight handling infrastructure would need to be developed there.
Sanjay Budhia, chairman of CII (eastern region) said:
