Myanmar tour team aims to promote trade
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 27 2014: A 10-member Manipuri delegation cleared to travel upto Mandalay in Myanmar by the international neighbour's Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed confidence that the visit would boost cultural as well as commercial relationships between Manipur and its immediate South East Asian neighbour.

Briefing newspersons at its Kwakeithel office today about the tour slated to commence tomorrow, Indo-Myanmar Fraternal Alliance (IMFA) president RK Shivachandra Singh said the Myanmar Ministry approved a week-long visit by the Manipuri delegation.

Describing the proposed visit through surface transport system as positive development in strengthening the Indo-Myanmar relationship, shivachandra said opening up of the land route to visitors from Manipur will significantly reduce expenditure incurred by individuals in reaching Myanmar.

Apart from bringing down the cost of travelling through the air constant connectivity between people of Manipur and Myanmar will eventually increase the trade volume and facilitate smooth commercial activities, said the IMFA president who also informed that travel through the air necessitates expenditure to the tune of Rs 40-50,000 for an individual whereas no more that Rs 10,000 would be needed to reach Mandalay through the land route.

Stating that during the visit the Manipuri delegation will call on the heads of Saigang an Monywa States of Myanmar, he said in case a proposal for importing fresh fish into Manipur from Myanmar materialises the people of Manipur will finally be able to taste various fish species abundantly available in the Chindwin River.

Moreover, manipuri traders could take advantage of huge demand for pork meat in both Manipur and Nagaland by importing the meat from Myanmar as well as from other South and East Asian countries, Shivachandra opined.

Advocating opening up of all possible trade routes with the neighbouring country to minimise impact of economic blockades that have become an unwanted characteristics of Manipuri society, he highlighted that people of Manipur, particularly the business community need to be prepared to reap benefits of India's Look East Policy.

Declaring that IMFA will extend all possible assistance to Manipuri individuals or groups intending to promote academic, commercial as well as cultural ties between the people of Manipur and Myanmar, Shivachandra also maintained that Myanmar authorities would be urged to provide special accommodation facility to Manipuri visitors along with promoting sports event starting with a friendly football exhibition match.

With regard to the Passport Mela (fair) held here, he said such an endeavour would not be able to satisfy the people's desire for expeditious process for possess passport.

Rather the Government of Manipur needs to explore all possible means to officially open the proposed passport office in the state at the earliest possible for many passport seekers have to make additional expenditure to process the same at Guwahati, the nearest passport office in the region, urged the IMFA president.

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