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Indo-Myanmar trade eight point joint declarations inked
September 6, 2008: IMPHAL, Winding up their visit to the State, the Myanmar Trade Delegation which arrived here on September 3 has inked an 8 point joint declaration with the National Identity Protection Committee, in the presence of representatives of Governments from both countries which aims at promoting trading activities between the two countries.
Sources: The Sangai Express
Addressing the media in connection with the release of the joint declaration at Hotel Imphal today evening, Director of Commerce and Industries, Dhiraj Yumnam said that the visit of the trade team from Myanmar was organised by NIPCO and the State Government had merely exten- ded its co-operation.
Though there is already an Indo-Myanmar trade agreement in place, such visits will help in promoting closer contacts between the people of Manipur and Myanmar and this will help in promoting trading activities, said Dhiraj.
On the plans to promote trading, the Director said that there is a proposal to set up an Integrated Check Post at Moreh at the cost of Rs 130 crores. An area of 45 acres of land will be required for the check post.
President of BTCC U Hla Maung while speaking to the media said that the trip has been fruitful.
Stating that there is enough scope for expansion of the trading activities between the two countries, Maung said that better road conditions along the Imphal-Moreh sector, tightened security arrangements etc will go a long way in helping to boost the trading activities.
He also appealed to the people to refrain from imposing bandhs and blockades frequent bandhs and blockades along the said route.
President of NIPCO, Y Nabachandra said that the border trade will help in improving the economy of the State to a great extent.
He called upon all the people to ensure that maximum benefit is extracted from the border trade.
As a gesture of goodwill, Maung presented a framed picture of Krishna and Radha
to Dhiraj while NIPCO presented a memento of Pakhangba to the Myanmar team.
The gists of the joint declaration include inclusion of certain items from the
side of India
in the trade agreement for expansion.
The items are, parts of bicycles and automobiles, cotton yarn, stainless steel utensils, menthol, Suman Rose Pan Masala (non-tobacco), red and white sandalwoods, sanitary items including tools and equipments both for automobiles and carpentry, paints and varnishes, iron steel rods, medicines, cotton lungies and handloom clothes, cosmetics, chemicals (bleaching powder and insecticides, cement, sewing and embroidery machines, nails, mosquito coils, fish, essence, hing and paraffin wax.
The declaration also said that ‘normal trade’ may also be conducted by both sides to carry out Letter of Credit system at Moreh-Tamu sector.
Other points included holding ground level meet at least once in a year instead of on quarterly basis etc.