Guwahati: What has been described as historic initiative by private tour operators in building up relations with neighbouring countries, the first business exposure team which will be allowed to enter Burma without any visa or passport was flagged off here on Thursday.

In an obvious attempt to give a boost to the Look East Policy of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the business exposure team comprising of 10 young entrepreneurs of northeastern states would complete their journey at Mandalay, the commercial capital of Burma.

The Burmese government has issued land permit to the tourists at the initiative of the Indo-Myanmar Friendship Tourist Centre at Moreh in Manipur and Celesta Tours in Assam. The initiative has been named as Mission Golden Project. Talking to this newspaper before the flagging off ceremony, the director of the Friendship Tourist centre, Mr Chandra Keshor, said: “Our prime objective is to encourage trade tie up and socio-economic relations with our neighbouring countries.”

He said: “We are also organising a cultural festival of Northeast at Mandalay and Yangoon in Burma under the supervision of consulate general of India, Mandalay and embassy of India, Rangoon which will have a theme of building friendship through cultural exchange.”

Mr Keshor, who aims to take the people to Beijing through land route in 2008 Olympic Games, said: “With limited resources, we have been able to develop relationship between the people of Manipur and Burma. Now, we are trying to open up this land route for the people of entire northeastern region by taking first business exposure group today.”

The leading tour operator of the northeastern region and the director of the Travel Smart Mr Prabal Bora said: “We are trying hard to promote the tourism potential of the region but he state government of the region will have to change their attitude towards the tourism industry.” He was of view that most of tour operators are ready to help the states in promoting this sector but the state government will have to come forward to utilize their skill in this sector. Admitting the lack of infrastructure in the northeastern states, Mr Bora said: “By involving the tour operators, government can bring about changes in the scenario.”