Imphal, February 18 2009: The Government of Manipur has signed five separate Memoranda of Understanding with several companies of Vietnam during the North East India Trade and Investment Summit held at Ho-Chi-Minh city from February 12 to 14 .

The MoUs signed between the two sides pertain to mutual cooperation in such areas as agro-food processing, toy making, cane and bamboo etc.

An official source informed The Sangai Express that the trade and investment summit was jointly organised by DoNER Ministry, Indian Chamber of Commerce, Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Vietnam Commerce and Industries.

The summit was primarily aimed at fulfilling targets of the New Delhi's Look East Policy.

A team of State officials led by Additional Chief Secretary DS Poonia attended the meeting.

The team included officials of Tourism, Works and Industry Departments in addition to 17 entrepreneurs.

The summit which focussed on tourism, handloom and handicraft, agro-food processing and infrastructure was participated by officials of several South East Asian countries.

Considering the existing commonalities between Vietnam and Manipur, Vitenam officials expressed desire to create a tour package for tourists from several parts of the world.

After several rounds of one to one talk between representatives of Vietnamese business establishments and officials and entrepreneurs of Manipur, the two sides agreed on techonolgy transfer in the field of cane and bamboo.

Other points of agreement between the two sides were transfer of Smart Card technology, toy making skill transfer and marketing, agro-food processing and supply/purchase of turmeric.

Asserting that the Vietnam summit was a big success for Manipur, the official source informed that Additional Chief Secretary DS Poonia spoke on behalf of the State Government in the meeting on Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Trinagle (CLV-DT) and North Eastern Region of India.

The Ho-Chi-Minh summit was also participated by DoNER secretary Jarnail Singh.

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