Meeting on Tuesday to put forward proposals for the economic development of the North, the forum members said that the government should prioritise helping the many Tamil business people who had fled the North-East due to the armed conflict, but remained keen to invest and re-establish their business.
Many of them have applied for dual citizenship, however, the granting of dual citizenship is happening at a very slow pace, the forum's leader E Jeyaseharan said.
The government should be aware that the diaspora are keen to come and invest here. Helping them with opportunities to build their business in the North-East should be a priority, Mr Jeyaseharan added.
The forum also called for Palali airport and Kankesanthurai harbour to be renovated in an international airport and export-import hub, and that the government's 2016 budget should help those affected by the conflict, including widows and those with a disability.
