Okram in Myanmar, bats for border trade

IMPHAL: Highlighting a host of avenues in trade and human resource sectors than India and Myanmar can avail smoothly through Manipur, chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh has appealed to Indian investors to make use of this opportunity.

Addressing a historic 2-day "Region Investment and Business Conclave" at Monywa in Myanmar's Sagaing region as special guest of honor on Tuesday, Okram called upon Indian investors not to think for India alone but also Myanmar so that the two countries could co-exist. Stating that Imphal airport would become an international airport in July this year, Ibobi proposed flights connecting different cities in Myanmar including Monywa, Mandalay, Yangon and Kalemyo to promote trade, tourism, business and investment.

Highlighting the importance of the Imphal-Mandalay bus service to promote economy, tourism and trade between the countries, he urged Myanmar authorities to agree to the proposal soon.

Indicating that various Indian businessmen had come to attend the conclave, the CM suggested that investment could take place in the Sagaing region in different areas like thermal power plants, agro-industries, educational institutions and hospitals with the support and cooperation from Myanmar authorities.

Proposing exchanges between Saigaing region and Manipur in education, culture and sports, he offered education facilities to the students of the region in medicine, engineering, higher studies in colleges and university in Manipur.

Highlighting that Manipur is the power house of sports in the country, he invited the Myanmarese athletes for study at the National Sports Academy in Imphal.

Pointing out that trade items of the existing border trade between the two countries has been increased to 62, Ibobi underscored the need for strengthening banking network on both sides. Stating that an integrated check post in Moreh would be ready by 2015, the CM said the two border haats between Manipur and Sagaing at Behiang and New Somtal have been approved.

"We would like to open two more haats at Konkan Thana and Tusom in Ukhrul district of Manipur." he said. Proposing import of precious stones, coal and pulses from Myanmar to Manipur, Ibobi urged the Myanmar authorities for import of teak from the Sagaing region to Manipur for industrial purposes for which his government has earmarked 500 acres of land.

Referring to visa facility for visit to Myanmar by land route, he proposed opening of a visa office of Myanmar in Imphal, which would facilitate promotion of tourism in Myanmar.

Pointing out that Manipur has well-equipped hospitals and that some the Myanmarese nationals are coming to Imphal for treatment, Ibobi said the Centre is considering to provide visa-on arrival for Myanmarese nationals coming to Moreh for treatment.