NEW DELHI: Today In the plenary session of Advantage Assam-Global Investors Summit'18 Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the progress of northeastern India is "at the heart of the Act East Policy' of the government.

"The Act East Policy requires increased people to people contact, trade ties and other relations with countries on India's east, particularly ASEAN countries," said the PM, in an address at the inaugural session of Advantage Assam-Global Investors Summit'18 in Guwahati.

The success of people living in Northeast depends to India's growth story gathering speed, PM said.

The PM appreciated the theme Acme and said is a quintessence its "comprehensive vision", and described on how cooperation between the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) - will be of advantage to community of all these countries.

"Whether it's the ASEAN countries, Bangladesh, Bhutan or Nepal, we are all in one way or another, dominantly agrarian economies - so the unity of our farmers in these regions can propel us to new heights," stated the PM.

PM added that the in recent times declared Union Budget 2018 has provisions tremendously beneficial for the northeast, especially its agriculture sector.

"Now with about Rs 1,300 crores allocated in the budget for the restructuring of the 'National Bamboo Mission', the people of the northeast, especially its farmers, will gain immensely," stated PM Modi.

PM also acclaimed Assam for holding position first among the northeastern States in the ''Ease of Doing Business' report.

"With present leadership of the state government, Assam is going to further improve its current position to emerge as one of the most sought after states for investment," the PM expected.