Moreh, October 31: With the export and import activities in the Indo-Myanmar trade coming to a grinding halt, a Joint Study Group headed by the Chief Secretary has started studying the modalities of improving the border trade, even as indications are clear that the border trade may not thrive if goods manufactured by a third country are excluded from the trade list.

The halt in the export and import trade activities came to light during a random investigation conducted by this reporter to study the finer aspects of the border trade at Moreh recently.

A reliable source informed The Sangai Express that the Joint Study Group headed by the Chief Secretary has already held its first meeting and points were discussed on how to improve the border trade.

When this reporter contacted the Customs Superintendent at Moreh, Sekham Kilong, during the course of the investigation, the officer disclosed that the export and import trade between the two countries has been grounded and added that it is on the verge of becoming totally defunct.

Though 22 items are listed in the export and import business, at the moment only four items are being traded.

Earlier there were 100 firms which were licensed to carry out the border trade but today only five firms are engaged in the business and these firms are also registered in the names of the local people though the actual business is conducted by others.

One of the more sought after items by India through the border trade is betel nut and this item is included as a food item.

However there is a catch in this as the State Government has recently issued an order that betel nuts brought in from across the border have to first get the clearance from the Customs.

Moreover the nuts have to be certified that they are fit for human consumption.

Since such a process entails a lot of inconveniences, trade in betel nuts has also stopped for some time now.

Some of the important factors why the border trade is tottering at the moment is because the businessmen are not able to get all the goods they want as well as the law and order problem, informed the Customs Superintendent.

Medicinal plants which were in great demand in India cannot be brought in now as the Centre has issued an order that if the location of the plant where it was grown is not known, then the plant cannot be brought in from across the border.

This has grounded the trade in medicinal plants.

The Customs officer said that products from a third country cannot be included in the trade between India and Myanmar.

When this reporter contacted the vice president of the North East Federation of International Trade, M Chandrakishore, he said that to promote the border trade it is important to create an atmosphere conducive for business activities.

Significantly the Federation has been playing a major role in promoting the border trade.

To promote border trade, the State Government should formulate a policy for the border trade and include goods manufactured in third countries, opined Chandrakishore and added that if teak is allowed to be brought up to Moreh, it would generate huge funds.

Though the border trade was opened some years back, its immediate benefits are not yet visible at Moreh, said Chandrakishore and added the border town is today just a transit point for the trade items and its accompanying benefits.

The price of the goods are worked out by Myanmar, he informed.

On the other hand the Joint Study Group headed by the Chief Secretary has zeroed in on extortions and the fragile law and order situation at the border town as the reasons for the dwindling border trade.

Members of the Study Group are drawn from the Police Department, Customs, Banks, Forest, Commerce and Industries and the business community.

A meeting of the Study Group was held on October 26 and the members were asked held on October 26 and the members were asked to submit their suggestions and comments within 15 days time.

To enable the traders transport their goods from Myanmar to their final destination, process has been started to open a terminal at Moreh.

A number of businessmen informed this reporter that though the cost of hiring a truck to transport goods from Moreh to Imphal is just Rs 7000, they have to shell out a huge amount to pay off policemen, a number of departments as well as underground organisations.

Among the businessmen, the goods are grouped into two categories, Number 1 goods (which have all the requisite documents) and Number 2 goods (which do not have the requisite documents).

While transporting the Number 1 goods does not pose much problem, many palms have to be greased while transporting the Number 2 category of goods.

A goods laden truck has to pass at least through 18 check posts while traversing from Moreh to Imphal.

While the tax imposed on a goods laden truck from Moreh to Pallel is Rs 4500 by the police and other Government agencies, the traders have to fork out Rs 3500 to the underground organisations for the same journey.

A Central para-military force also impose a tax of Rs 4000 on a vehicle for every fourth trip.

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