Itanagar, Feb 22 (PTI): Arunachal Pradesh and Bhutan have agreed to boost tourism through mutual cooperation. A five-member Poverty Reduction Committee of BhutanÂ's National Assembly, led by its chairman Dupthop, who visited the state recently, discussed the matter with Chief Minister Nabam Tuki, official sources said today. Pointing out that Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh had several similarities culturally and geographically, Tuki said the cooperation would eventually generate gainful employment and reduce poverty. Tuki said that construction of a road from Tawang to Bhutan was progressing at a rapid pace and sought the Bhutan government's cooperation to speed up work in its territory. Â"Once this road is completed and connects towns of Bhutan with Tawang, we could work on border trade, which would be beneficial for both the sides economically,Â" Tuki observed. The chief minister also wanted helicopter services to be introduced between Tawang and Bhutan, which, he believed, would increase the tourist arrival substantially. Dupthop agreed to a proposal by Tuki that a tourist circuit be developed encompassing Bhutan and parts of Arunachal Pradesh religiously linked to each other. He, however, said that this depended on the government of Bhutan for implementation.
