GUWAHATI: Assam Government Friday said the state capital will be connected to six capital cities of South Asian countries by the end of December to boost connectivity in the region.
While inaugurating the ASEAN section of the 2nd Guwahati International Film Festival (GIFF), Assam Act East Policy Affairs Minister, Chandra Mohan Patowary said films are bridges between two cultures.
"We are very focused to increase connectivity between the South Asia. In this direction, Guwahati will be connected with six capital cities of South Asian nations by the end of December," he said addressing the gathering.
Patowary also informed that an inter-country pact was signed yesterday to augment waterways in the region.
"A tri-lateral highway has also been planned and construction is almost done. The bridges are only left. This will be from Afghanistan to Burma (Myanmar) via India," he added.
The initiatives like the GIFF are very positive in the cultural arena that will help know each other, the minister said.
"We are trying to develop the relation between India and South East Asian countries in the field of trade, commerce and other segments. GIFF can play an important role in that direction," he added.
During the inauguration of the ASEAN segment, the Myanmar Ambassador to India, Moe Kyaw Aung was also present.
In this year, the ASEAN countries are the focus region of the 2nd GIFF with 14 films from 10 countries of the region instead of having any focus country.