Seminar on Burma to strengthen trade with India

From Subhaschandra M
Mizzima News: 06 December, 2006

Imphal:  The first Asian seminar on 'The land and people of Myanmar (Burma) ' was inaugurated at the senate Hall of Manipur University, Canchipur campus in India's border state of Manipur.

Governor of Manipur Dr Shivinder Singh Sidhu was the chief guest at the inaugural function while Professor C Amuba of the newly converted central varsity was the President.

Speaking on the first day of the two-day seminar organized under the aegis of Centre for Myanmar Studies, Dr Sidhu said that with the opening of the Indo-Burma border trade in 1995,Manipur has entered the global market and a closer relationship has been established between India and Burma.

"I hope the seminar will go a long way in further strengthening the existing relationship and augmentation of trade between India and Myanmar," Dr Sidhu said adding ,"it will lay a good foundation for further promotion of people to people contacts not only between Myanmar and Manipur but also north east India and ASEAN countries".

The Manipur governor also said that the proposed Trans-Asia Highway and Trans-Asian Rail line will also pave the way for a closer relationship between the people of both countries besides promoting trade and commerce between the two countries and other Asian countries.

Dr Sidhu released a souvenir on the occasion. Prominent Manipur academician Prof Gangmumei Kamei delivered the key note address at the inaugural function. "Experts from across India as well as the region are taking part in the seminar" a research assistant of the Myanmar Centre said.

Many high profile academicians of India as well as from abroad including Prof Sreemati Chakrabarti of Delhi University, Prof Arambam Lokendra, R K Ranjan of Manipur, Venkateswara University and Dr Udai Bhanu Singh of the Institute of Defence Studies and Analysis will be delivering lectures on different issues relating to Burma in the course of the seminar.

Mention may be made here that the Centre for Burmese Studies has been conducting Burmese language courses since last year is also engaging in a 'talk programme' on Burma since July 30.