AEP detailed
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 06 2017:
In a written reply in the Lok Sabha today, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Nirmala Sitharaman said that the objectives of the Act East Policy include deepening economic cooperation and expanding trade with countries in the Asia-Pacific Region.
The process facilitates bilateral trade from North-East also.
Sitharaman said that the total estimated trade (as provided by Department of Revenue) between India and Myanmar through the North East has grown from Rs 7752.72 lakh to Rs 14452.26 lakh between 2013-14 and 2015-16 .
Spelling out the steps taken up for promoting trade from the North East to Myanmar, Nirmala Sitharaman said that there has been a shift from barter trade to normal trade and expanding all tradeable commodities.
Trade through sea route will also be increased by harnessing the proposed Kaladan multi modal transit transport facility as well as better land connectivity through India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway.
Land connectivity on the Indian side will also be improved by widening the Imphal-Moreh road, added the Union Commerce and Industry Minister.
There is also a comprehensive telecom development plan for the North East region, said the Minister and added that initiatives for better banking facility have been taken up.
Expansion of rail network in the region has also been taken up, she said and added that Land Customs Stations have been set up at Moreh, Zokhawthar and Champhai.
Border haats have been established and an Integrated Checkpost at Moreh has been set up too.