Agartala, Dec 4 (IANS): Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci) will hold regional connectivity summit in all the northeastern states to boost trade and economy of the region, a top official of the federation said here on Friday.

"The two-day regional connectivity summit was held in Shillong on Nov 16-17. Similar summit would be held in all the remaining northeastern states to promote the economy of the region and boost trade with the neighbouring and other contagious countries," Ficci's northeast advisory council chairman Ranjit Barthakur told reporters.

He said: "The northeastern region has huge resources and potentiality. Besides, the region has borders with five nations whose total population is over 3.2 billion and has a vast market."

"Besides China, the northeastern region shares borders with Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal and Bhutan. India's northeastern region can flourish its economy by taping its resources and using the market of these countries," he added.

Barthakur, along with other officials, on Friday met Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar and discussed about holding the next summit in Tripura this year end.

"Half of world's population resides in northeast India's adjoining region. Why should we not tap the huge market for the betterment of the region," he pointed out.

Ficci's North East council has conducted a survey of the resources and potentiality of the region and suggested an investment of Rs.5 lakh crore to develop connectivity, infrastructure and several viable projects in the region.

Barthakur said northeast's geographical proximity to southeast and south asian countries has put the region in advantageous position in respect of trade.