Ibobi to open timber park

Commerce minister to visit site in Thoubal today

Imphal, June 11 : The Okram Ibobi Singh government in Manipur is set to open a timber park in Thoubal district along Imphal-Moreh road to take advantage of the improved trade relations between India and Myanmar which is one of the major exporters of timber.

Commerce and industries minister Govindas Konthoujam today said he along with officials and MLA of the area Surchandra Singh would inspect the proposed site tomorrow.

The government is planning to set up the park at Kakching Lamkhai, about 50km from Imphal city along the Imphal-Moreh sector of NH-2.

Konthoujam, addressing a one-day industrial development workshop here today, said all the existing saw mills of the state would be brought to the proposed park.

The government’s choice of Kakching Lamkhai is because of its location advantage.

The place is along the highway and about 60km from border township of Moreh where India and Myanmar have border trade.

Myanmarese timber which is considered to be of high quality reaches Southeast Asian countries and West Asia.

The Manipur government is planning to acquire at least 500 acres of land for the proposed park.

Official sources said the North Eastern Council had agreed to fund the project.

During his trip to Mandalay of Myanmar last month to attend a business submit there, Ibobi Singh had urged the authorities of the Myanmar to export their timber to Manipur in bulk.

He also informed the Myanmarese authorities about his plan to open a timber park in the state.

Ibobi Singh pointed out that the timber export would enhance economy of Saga- ing region of Myanmar, which is a timber bowl and also provides job opportunities to the people of Manipur and beyond.

Sources here said Myanmarese officials were willing to export timber to Manipur for industrial purposes.

The principal secretary, commerce and industries, O. Nabakishore Singh, said import of Myanmarese timber to Manipur was permitted before formalisation of the border trade.

The official said import of timber from Myanmar would be viable as the proposed timber park will be only 60km from the Myanmar border.

Officials here strongly believe that the demand for timber in India is huge because of a vast market of wooden furniture and the proposed park can provide the requirements.

They are confident that once the park is opened, a number of wood-based entrepreneurs will increase in the state providing jobs and enhancing the economy of the state.