CM urges to lift PAP from State
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 08 2014 : Chief Minister Okram Ibobi has said that the number of tourists to Manipur will increase if Protected Area Permit system being imposed in the State is lifted.

The Chief Minister was speaking at the BIMSTEC conference christened, 'Integrating BIMSTEC 2014' at Classic Hotel today.

Ibobi urged the Centre to introduce Visa on Arrival system at Tulihal Airport and border town Moreh to make the Myanmarese nationals convenient while they visit the State for healthcare.

He also requested the Centre to open a passport office at Imphal.

Chief Secretary PC Lawmkunga said that people of North East States are less aware of the activities of BIMSTEC.

He said that BIMSTEC would put in best effort in enhancing road connectivity in the region.

Fourteen resource persons from India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Bagladesh, Myanmar and Thailand also spoke on various development projects to be taken up by Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Co-operation (BIMSTEC) at the conference.

Economist and representative of India Resident Mission, Asian Development Bank, Kavita Iyengar said that better road connectivity is the key to development.

Mentioning the importance of North East region in trade and commerce, she said that ADB would put in effort to revamp roads through BIMSTEC by providing necessary fund in the region.

Speaking on BIMSTEC, Union Home Joint Secretary Sanjay Bhattacharya said that the organisation not only supervises mutual co-operation among seven BIMSTEC nations in the fields of agriculture, tourism, cultural co-operation, trade, fisheries, environment, disaster management, transport and communication, technology but also mediates intelligence sharing for counter terrorism and transnational crime.

Maintaining that BIMSTEC's objective is to uplift its member nations to the status of a developed country, Bhattacharya said that enhancement of road connectivity is the prime focus for the organisation.

Indian Chamber of Commerce and Ministry of Union Ministry of External Affairs jointly organised the international conference.

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