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The price of goods from Burma rise in northeast India
July 18, 2008: The cost of Burmese goods selling in Mizoram state, northeast India is gradually spiraling, following a deadlock in trade activities on the Indo-Burma border trade No (2) road link from Mizoram state to central Burma through Chin state.
Burmese goods selling in a store in Aizawl market in Mizoram state, northeast India. (Photo- Robert/Khonumthung)
Sources: Khonumthung News
Trade activities on the Indo-Burma Border Trade Road No (2) have ground to a halt since the transportation fee charged for goods coming into Mizoram state from Burma was increased early last month.
"Actually, the fees went up slowly with the trade between Burma and Mizoram coming down," a local from Aizawl, capital of Mizoram said. .
In Aizawl market, the price of Fuji brand soap powder imported from Burma increased to Rs.28 per 500 gm packet from Rs. 25 last month. Cost of other accessories also went up from Rs. 3 to Rs. 5. .
"The price will not stabilize, it is likely to go up further," a local from Aizawl also added. .
Mizoram state depends on essential commodities from Assam state in India and especially Burma. .
Burmese traders had suspended the despatch of goods from Burma into Mizoram state following the doubling of transportation fees for Burmese traders in Mizoram. .
It is unlikely that trade activities from Burma to Mizoram will be resumed soon as there is no sign of rolling back the hike in transportation fees by local authorities. .
"The price can be restored to what prevailed if the authorities roll back the extra transportation fee. Otherwise the prices will keep going up," a trader from Champhai district said. .
The transportation fee was increased from Rs.1.50 to Rs. 3 per kilogram after a new cargo station was set up in Melbuk near Champhai district. The hike in charges seems to have hurt the business of Burmese traders and left them without much profit. .
Earlier, there was only one cargo station in Zokhawthar village in Champhai district near the Indo-Burma border. The transportation charge was then Rs. 1.50 a kilogram.