In Laos and South East Asian countries..CM bats for people to people connectivity
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 09 2017:
DIPR): Chief Minister N Biren Singh stressed on promoting people to people connectivity between Manipur and Laos during his meetings with different Ministers of the country yesterday .
At their capital Vientiane, the Chief Minister had separate meetings with Prime Minister's Office Minister Alunkeo, Commerce and Industry Minister Khem-mani Pholsena and Informa- tion, Culture and Tourism Minister Bosengkham Vong- dara during his recent visit to the South East Asian country which began on August 6 and ended yesterday .
CM N Biren had fruitful discussions on myriad issues including culture, tourism and trade potentials with the Ministers .
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He told the Ministers that Manipur and Laos would automatically witness upswing in bilateral trade and co-operations once people to people connectivity is boosted apart from enhancing surface and air connectivity .
The Chief Minister pointed out that Manipur shares close affinity in terms of culture, customs and food habits not only with Laos but also with most of the ASEAN countries .
The Ministers expressed astonishment when N Biren mentioned about the similarities of Laos and Manipur in food habits and many other things .
All the Ministers expressed their willingness to visit Manipur when the Chief Minister invited them to this year's Manipur Sangai Festival .
N Biren said that the Government of India had transformed its 'Look East Policy' into 'Act East Policy' with a renewed vigour to enhance ties with ASEAN countries in terms of bilateral relations and trade .
The India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway, which would connect Moreh in Manipur with Mae Sot in western Thailand through Mandalay in Myanmar would certainly boost trade between Manipur and ASEAN countries, N Biren observed .
During the meeting, the Ministers sought investment in IT sector from the Government of India .
N Biren presented shawls having Sangai prints and Pakhangba mementoes to the Ministers and top officials, whom he met during the tour .
The Chief Minister was accompanied by MLA Dr S Ranjan, MLA L Susindro, Advisor to CM Rajat Sethi and Personal Secretary to CM S Rajen during his visit.
The team returned Imphal today.