International Convention of Service Industry kicks off
Delhi-Imphal direct flight from April: Biren
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, February 22 2018: Chief Minister N Biren Singh said that the Ministry of Civil Aviation has assured the State Government that Air India would begin daily direct flights from New Delhi to Imphal by first week of April.

The Chief Minister was speaking at the inaugural function of 3rd International Convention of Service Industry NER(I)-ASEAN FOCUS CLMV (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam) at Hotel Classic Grande, here today.

Speaking as chief guest of the function, the Chief Minister said that the Government is planning to build a resort to attract more tourists in the State.

International Convention of Service Industry kicks off

The Government is trying to acquire 100 acres of land near Tengnoupal area along Imphal-Moreh road for construction of the resort, he added.

He stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has allocated funds for the construction of 39 big culverts in the Indo-Myanmar border areas.

The Chief Minister informed that he along with the Chief Minister of Sagaing Region, Myanmar would jointly inaugurate the said culverts soon.

Mentioning that Manipur is the gateway to South East Asian countries, Biren maintained that "We should make Imphal/Manipur an important location/station because the routes to the South East Asian countries will be shortened".

He further stressed that the State Government is trying its best to increase tourists flow into the State.

Stating that the State has hosted the NEDS 2017 in Imphal, first of its kind in the entire North East, the Chief Minister said that following the footsteps of the State, States like Assam and Uttar Pradesh have started organising similar business Summits in their respective States.

He maintained that better connectivity is very important to bring development in the region.

Stating that collective effort is crucial for Manipur to be a part of the global movement for change, Biren urged the people of the State to commit themselves to bring change in terms of attitude, behaviour and mind etc.

Ambassador of Union of Myanmar to India, Moe Kyan Aung said that there is a need to increase air connectivity between the countries such as direct flight from Imphal to Rangoon etc.

Free flow of trade, goods and services are the most important elements in realizing an Economic Community which would strengthen the commercial and economic relationship between various ASEAN countries, he added.

He also maintained that North East India is a geo-stra-tegic region for connecting to the South East Asian countries.

The convention is being organised under the theme "Tapping Potential of Services Sector Catering to Domestic and International Demands" by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, International Chamber for Service Industry and Manipur Infrastructure Development Agency (MIDA) .

Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Sudhanshu Pandey, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Dr J Suresh Babu, Director General, International Chamber of Service Industry Dr Gulshan Sharma, Vice Chairman MIDA M Asnikumar, Head of India-Sri Lanka and Nepal Fly Dubai Pran Dasan, Head of Operations Media Entertainment Industry Mohit Soni and others attended the convention.