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NIPCO signs joint declaration with Myanmar
September 6, 2008: Imphal, Despite the request of traders to include more items, even locally manufactured goods in the list of goods, the present list of exchangeable items under the barter mechanism will be restricted to 22 items only, stated a joint declaration signed between the Myanmar Trade Delegation and a Manipur based civil organisation National Identity Protection Committee (NIPCO) on September 4.
Sources: Morung Express
The joint declaration, a 7 point declaration, was signed by U. Hla Muang, President of Border Trade Chamber of Commerce, Myanmar (BRCC) and Y. Nabachandra, President of NIPCO at the Conference Hall of State Guest House, Imphal during the visit of Myanmar Trade Delegations to Imphal. It was in the presence of Dhiraj Yumnam, Director of Commerce and Industry, Manipur and U Aung Kyaw Moe, Director, Border Trade Department, Tamu.
The 7 points declared that only 22 items would be exchangeable between the two
sides under the barter mechanism. This despite requests from traders to
increase the list including locally made goods.
The sides also decided to hold ground level meetings on quarterly basis in a year on mutual invitation and acceptance to reconsider the proposals. NIPCO also agreed to cooperate in obtaining visa for pilgrims to Bodh Gaya as travel was possible only by air as per Indian law and not land via Tamu-Moreh.
The declaration also agreed that traders of Manipur and Myanmar were permitted to travel to Mandalay and Imphal for a period of 7 days with a valid pass and under immigration arrangement. It also declared raw wheat a restricted item under ITC (HS) classification.
The two sides also welcomed the proposal for holding Trade Fairs on both sides. And to make trade more smooth on the borders, the two sides agreed to improve the road, security and infrastructures. The meeting also agreed a proposal of a friendly football match at Tamu for the boys and girls of both sides during the winter season.
Addressing a press meet at the Imphal Hotel on Saturday, Dhiraj Yumnam, Director of Commerce and Industry, Manipur stated that people to people contact would bring good relation between the two sides. He also added that the main proposal of Myanmar was the improvement of roads, security for traders and making the roads free of any interference to the traders.
The director also revealed that an integrated check post was being planned at Moreh for which a 45 acre land has been bought and Rs.130 crores earmarked. U. Hla Muang, President of Border Trade Chamber of Commerce, Myanmar (BRCC) retained that there was no problem on the side of Myanmar. He also pointed out that if the roads were good and there was interference on the traders, development was guaranteed.