Indo-Myanmar Car rally in January
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 30 2011:
Aimed at promoting trade and investment in the north Eastern region with Myanmar, a car rally is being planned next year under the joint initiative of the Assam Speed & Adventure Club, Guwahati and North East Federation of International Trade (NEFIT).
It is said that the car rally from January 29 to February 9, was supposed to be conducted earlier in March this year but had to be deferred due to Assembly elections in Assam and Nagaland.
According to an informed source, concept of the rally is to rekindle the historic relationship between Myanmar and India as well as to re-establish the traditional trade route between the neighbouring countries.
Apart from consent of the Union Ministry of External Affairs, State Governments of Assam, Nagaland and Manipur have also given the green signal (no objection certificate) for the car rally to be conducted under the financial support of the Ministry of Development of North East Region (Doner) .
Expected to attract a total of 225 participants, 55 of these cars will be taking part under the sponsorship of various companies.
Assam Chief Minister is scheduled to flag-off the rally on January 30 morning after completion of entry formalities by all the participants on the preceding day which will be followed by a press meet at 5 pm of the same day.
Besides the Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, the Union Doner Minister and Myanmar Ambassador in India HE Zin Yaw are also slated to attend the opening ceremony of the rally.
After halting the night at Kohima on the first day of the rally, the team will resume its journey towards Imphal the next morning with the Nagaland Chief Minister flagging off the convoy.
With the Manipur Chief Minister flagging off the rally at around noon it will proceed for Moreh and stop the night across the border (Tamu) .
The next morning the rally will head for Sagaing Division of Myanmar and then to Myanmar capital Naypyitaw where a tourism cum trade meeting attended by representatives of the two countries is scheduled.
Another meeting cum business conference is slated at Yangon on February 3 evening after which the rally will begin its return journey after covering interior areas of Myanmar.
The rally is supposed to return to Imphal on February 8 on its way back to the starting point.