Trip to China Ibobi opens investment doors
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 01 2013: Apart from inviting Chinese delegates to this year's Sangai Festival, Chief Minister O Ibobi during his recent tour to China and Japan, made it clear that the Government of Manipur would welcome investments by China for infrastructure development of Manipur.

The team led by the Chief Minister which went on the foreign tour starting from September 19 included PHED Minister I Hemochandra, Industries Minister K Govindas, Parliamentary Secretary M Prithiviraj, Principal Secretary (Industries) O Nabakishore, Principal Secretary (Tourism) Dr Rajesh Kumar and Secretary to CM N Ashokumar.

Although the other delegates visited Japan too, Ibobi limited his tour to China only, informed an official source.

During the tour, Ibobi met a number of Chinese leaders and officials with the main objective of introducing Manipur located in India's North Eastern corner.

After introducing Manipur succinctly, Ibobi and Chinese officials discussed about bilateral trade and commerce, investment, tourism and city development.

The team at Tiannanmen Square

Impressed by the modern infrastructure seen in Chinese cities, Ibobi conveyed his keen desire for Chinese investment and participation in infrastructure development of Manipur.

At Kunming (Yunan province), Ibobi and provincial authorities discussed about air connectivity between Imphal and Kunming.

Ibobi also made a keen observation of the development work of Kunming lake which is quite similar to Manipur's Loktak lake.

The Chief Minister also visited Xingshuangbanna where the climatic condition is quite similar with the climatic condition of Manipur.

Again, the province is predominantly inhabited by Tai ethnic group who bear close resemblance to Manipuri people in terms of dressing style and food habits.

Ibobi's next stop was Hangzo province where he met Governor Lia Qiang and presented an invitation for Chinese troupes and delegates to come and join the Manipur Sangai Festival scheduled next month.

Ibobi also assured that the State Government would bear travel fare as well as accommodation expenses of the Chinese delegates.

Whereas Ibobi has returned to India, Govindas, Hemochandra, Prithiviraj and other officials went to Tokyo and met Arai Toru, Director General of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The ministerial team and the Director General discussed about a water supply project which would supply potable water to Imphal city by using water held back by Thoubal Multipurpose Project as its source.

Consequent upon the meeting, JICA Director Matsunoto Katsu and Assistant Director Honda Koji would visit Manipur on October 9 and 10 to collect necessary data for the proposed water supply project.

The ministerial team further offered to supply Ushoi (young bamboo roots), bamboo baskets and U-morok (giant chilly) to Japan.

It is reported that 100 gm of U-Morok powder is sold at Rs 5000 in Japan.

Bobo Tsuboi who hailed from Manipur is currently running a company in Japan and he said that a new brand of mobile phone handset is being developed which would be launched in Manipur, conveyed the official source.