Seminar on Trilateral Highway starts
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 18 2019:
A two-day International seminar-cum workshop on "Building Economic Corridors on the Trilateral Highway" began at the Committee Room, Vice Chancellor's Office, Manipur University today.
Delegates from Myanmar and India, comprising of academics, trade body representatives and investors among others, attended the event, which is being organized by Manipur University and Monywa University of Economics, Myanmar under the sponsorship of NEC, Shillong, UGC, New Delhi and Department of Tourism, Manipur.
Speaking on "the importance of academic exchange and joint research MoU between Monywa University of Economics and Manipur University" for Indo-Myanmar Development Cooperation, Monywa University of Economics, Myanmar Pro-Rector Professor Ni Ni Aung said that the tri-lateral highway between India, Myanmar and Thailand, which is being constructed under Act East Policy, will give immense benefits to both Myanmar and Manipur.
The Professor went on to state that there will be a major boost in terms of transportation and connectivity between India, Myanmar and Thailand when the India-Myanmar-Thailand tri-lateral highway is completed and begins functioning.
She categorically mentioned border trade/economic activities in border areas, education, health and cultural affairs between India/Manipur and Myanmar as some of the aspects in which both the countries will be benefited.
She also exuded confidence that the signing of an MoU between Manipur University and Monywa University of Economics during the two days International seminar cum workshop will pave a better way for exploring the various aspects of trade and economic activities between Manipur and Myanmar thus providing a space for conducting joint study by the two universities.
In the technical session, former Indian Ambassador to Myanmar, Gautam Mukhopadhaya stressed on the importance of enhancing infrastructure development along the routes passing through India and Myanmar.
He maintained that the process for upgrading 69 bridges in Myanmar, has been initiated although work progress is stuck due to some problems.
Mukhopadhaya added that the bulk cargo part/phase of Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project has been completed.
Stressing on the need for incorporating social developments aspects in Act East Policy, Mukhopadhaya went on to convey that certain initiatives like the process for constructing schools in Naga and Chin villages of Myanmar have also been initiated.
He has also mentioned about the GoI's commitment on enhancing physical connectivity and digital connectivity between India and ASEAN countries, while reminding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered 1 billion dollars in this regard, at the ASEAN-India Summit, which was held at Laos in 2014.Further talking about improving trade between Manipur and Mandalay as well as with other regions of Myanmar, the former Ambassador to Myanmar opined that equal emphasis should be given on enhancing agricultural productivity with that of physical infrastructure development.
All the physical infrastructure that are being developed in Myanmar and Manipur will only remain as transitory routes unless there is enhancement in the productivity of the two regions, he said.
Mooting the idea of developing an agriculture processing zone along Manipur-Myanmar routes and introducing value addition to the products of the two countries, apart from making it duty free to transport the value added products, Mukhopadhaya also emphasized on the importance of people to people contact in building closer ties between Manipur and Myanmar.
Manipur University Professor Ch Priyoranjan Singh, who is also the Principal Investigator of NEC, Study on India-ASEAN FTA and Act East Policy in North East India, attended the technical session as the Chairman.