Govt moots tetra-packaging unit
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 19 2011: Guided by a firm belief that a huge income can be earned by exporting fruit produces of the State to foreign countries like Myanmar, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand etc, the State Government is preparing to send a proposal to the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industries for opening a tetra-packaging unit in the State under export infrastructure development programme.

A reliable source informed that preparation of DPR for the proposal has been completed.

It is estimated that installation of a tetra-packaging unit would cost around Rs 25 crores.

It is believed that fruit produces of Manipur can find its markets in foreign countries if they are processed in scientific manner and packed properly using modern technologies.

Meanwhile, the Government of India has been working hard to enhance its export quantum to the tune of US $ 500 billion by 2014 .

The Ministry of Commerce and Industries is investing a huge amount of money in modernising and developing export infrastructure of the country to achieve the target.

As part of the export infrastructure development programme, the Ministry of Commerce and Industries has given informal assurance to the State Commerce and Industries Department to extend necessary assistance in setting up a tetrapackaging unit in Manipur.

Among the trade items sanctioned for free trade between India and Myanmar through Moreh, jeera is one export item which is in demand in Myanmar.

In June alone, jeera worth Rs 26 lakhs was exported to Myanmar through Moreh Land Custom Station.

As it would be far more convenient to adopt Letter of Credit (LOC) system when the export-import volume achieves its potential, a seminar would be organised at Moreh with officials of Myanmar on July 28 and 29 on introducing LOC between the two countries.

On the other hand, the State Government's plan to import 30,000 metric tonnes of rice from Myanmar is likely to be scrapped as the price of rice has come down to Rs 12 per Kg (according to FCS rate).

The State Government planned to import rice from Myanmar in view of the acute shortage of rice in the State last year due to the prolonged economic blockade on Imphal-Dimapur road.

A source in Commerce and Industry Department informed that in case rice is imported from Myanmar, it would have to be sold at Rs 22 to Rs 24 per Kg whereas Super Fine variety of rice is available in the State at Rs 12 per Kg.

As such, there would be no purpose in importing rice from Myanmar.

Nevertheless, the matter would be discussed with those who were working to import rice from Myanmar before the matter is wrapped up, added the source.

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