Mr Abdullah was speaking at a conference on `South Asian Growth Quadrangle - emerging opportunities for economic partnership' organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and supported by the external affairs ministry. The meeting, which will continue till tomorrow, is being attended among others by the trade and industry ministers from the above four countries.

He said the integration of the local economies for efficient utilisation of various resources will allow this sub-region to improve its competitive edge in the global market, apart from benefiting people in the region directly.

The SAGQ region has traditional access to markets in eastern India, the north east, Bangladesh, and the land locked countries of Nepal and Bhutan.

Mr Abdullah said the region is the gateway to the fast growing and lucrative markets in South Asia, Far East and Australia. The projects can be identified in the areas of energy, hydel resources, oil, gas and coal, and industries based on natural resources like tea, jute, aromatic plants, herbs and medicinal plants, besides leather, cotton and textiles and fisheries, he stated. The minister also emphasised the need for improving the infrastructure in the region for smoother flow of people, freight and cargo within the region. He hoped that under the umbrella of FICCI and apex chambers of Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan, many of the projects will be identified and concretised for actual implementation. He particularly congratulated FICCI for organising the event which he felt will bring India close to its neighbours in economic partnership and will result in increased economic activity. According to Mr Abdullah, the SAGQ cooperation involves exchange of available resources, taking advantage of regionalspecialisation for development at a more local and disintegrated level among the partners.