Nongpok Thong Hangba – Opening of opportunities

Oinam Nabakishore Singh *

NH-39 - Imphal to Moreh (bordering Myanmar) in March 2009 :: Pix - WT

Prophecies in Puya(ancient scriptures of Manipur) that “ Nongpok Thong”(Eastern Door) will be opened have now metaphorically come true with the official opening of port of entry and exit at Moreh on the 8th August, 2018 between India and Myanmar. Anybody with valid visa can now cross the international boundary at Moreh-Tamu sector from either side. Later on, provisions of visa on arrival shall be made available at least for tourism purposes for citizens of both countries in order to promote tourism.

People to people contact is the beginning of road to cooperation, exchange of ideas, culture, education, trade and commerce, tourism, better understanding, etc. The benefits of the contacts are endless. We will look at some of the obvious benefits. Healthcare facilities in Manipur are better than those in Myanmar. Before formally allowing entry and exit with valid visa from 8th August, 2018 through Moreh, several Myanmarese came to Manipur for treatment without valid travel documents.

Many Myanmarese can pass through check points without being detected, as physical features are quite similar, and visit hospitals for treatment. Now, they are coming to Manipur with visa in greater number without any fear of being deported or arrested. The healthcare business of private hospitals in Manipur has been given a fillip by the new travelarrangement. This is just the beginning. It will take some time for Myanmar to match the healthcare services in Manipur in terms of cost and quality.

The latest populationof Myanmar is 5.4 crore, which is larger than the total population of North-East India at 4.55 crore in 2011.The market for healthcare can even extend to other countries of South East Asia having border with Myanmar, namely, Thailand and Laos if our services are competitive. In fact, India is the destination for healthcare tourism for many people of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Middle East countries, Africa, etc.

What is required is to expand and further improve the existing facilities to cater to the demand not only from states in the north-east, but also from neighbouring countries of Myanmar, Thailand and Laos. Most of the patients will be coming for tertiary care. Our health care education shall have to focus on specialties and super-specialties. Support healthcare manpower-nurses, technicians for diagnostics and testing, IT professionals, etc. will have to be trained at the international standards. With a good ecosystem for investment,supporting financial institutions, entrepreneurship and favorable policies of government, it should be possible for healthcare sector to play a significant role in the economy of the state.

Education can be another area of service industry where Manipur will be destination for many countries of South-East Asia. School education with English medium teaching, world standard infrastructure of buildings, services, food, necessary amenities and global standard curriculum such as that of the International Baccalaureate, Edexcel or Cambridge International Examinationswill attract students from these countries and other states of India.

Residential International schools requires huge investment, which may be funded by banks and North Eastern Development Finance Corporation(NEDFi). Salubrious climate of the state round the year is another added advantage. Schools located in the lush green and beautifullandscapein the hills of Manipur will be conducive for good health and studies of students. In order to make such dreams come true, entrepreneurs have to take bold steps with necessary support from the government in terms of infrastructure for road, electricity and water supply.

Higher and technical education may also be attempted to be made competitive. National Institute of Technology(NIT), Manipur Institute of Technology(MIT), Indian Institute of Information Technology(IIIT) and Manipur Technical University should be teaching courses which are not only up-to-date, relevant, but also are at par with the best in the world. Manipur University has had difficult times as experienced by other government institutions in the state due to conflict situation.

A non-conducive environment has been impacting every aspect of the activities including academic pursuit. However, now the environment has improved considerably and it is possible to engage in teaching and research so that Manipur University figures among the best 100 universities in the world. With excellent infrastructure and services, it should be possible to make Manipur University as a destination of higher education for countries in our neighborhood. Like healthcare, education of foreign students in Manipur will have multiplier effects in employment, remittance and economic growth.

In order to formalize border trade between India and Myanmar and to promote relationship between the two neighbours, a border trade agreement was signed on January 21, 1994 at Moreh by representatives of two countries. Only 22 items, mostly agricultural products, were allowed to be exported or imported from either side by paying a nominal customs duty of 5% on all these items. Later on 20 more items were subsequently added taking the total number allowed under border trade to 42 by mutual agreement between the two countries.

Later on, this number was increased by another 20 items to include some manufactured items by the Government of India. Myanmar side was not very keen to increase it further as they do not have much manufactured goods to be exported to India. While I was working as Principal Secretary of Commerce and Industry Department of Manipur Government from 2010 to 2013, Director General, Foreign Trade, Government of India visited Moreh twice and discussed with us and trade bodies on various hurdles in border trade.

On one occasion, Shri T.K.A. Nair, Principal Advisor to the then Prime Minister of India visited Moreh and Tamu in 2012 to study border trade. On advice from Shri Nair, a high-level committee was set up with me as Chairman to analyze the problems in border trade and come up with suggestions to remove the problems.

The border trade agreement of 1994 and circulars issued by RBI on trade had some infirmities. The border trade was envisaged to be a barter trade-exchange of goods between residents on both sides of the border. As per first RBI circular, an importer of goods is required to export goods of the same value in order to balance trade. This condition was very difficult to be fulfilled by many traders and consequently many traders after commencing trade discontinued the business as they were unable to comply this condition.

Further, trade was envisaged to be carried out in lots of head loads, which was a too primitive proposition. For import of food items, testing by certified food testing lab was mandatory. Another major hurdle was delay due to numerous checkposts of security forces, of state and central government departments between Moreh and Imphal. There were unc onfirmed reports of payment of illegal taxes to militant groups at Moreh and Pallel.

After considering all aspects, Government of India decided to introduce normal trade on 2015 at borders with Myanmar-Moreh in Manipur and Zawkhathar in Mizoram, which requires payment of normal applicable customs duty. The barter trade that was allowed as a sub-set of border trade between India and Myanmar was abolished by the RBI vide its circular no. RBI/2015-16/230 dated November 05, 2015. One of the most important implications of this measure is that it necessitates trade transactions at the border in permitted currencies in addition to taking recourse to the Asian Clearing Union (Source: https://commerce.gov.in/writereaddata/uploadedfile/MOC_636045268163813180_Final%20 Enhancing_India_Myanmar_Border_Trade_Report.pdf).

Main item of import from Myanmar was betel nuts in the border trade regime with 5% duty. Now, after upgradation to normal trade, its import has dropped considerably due to much higher import duty. Border trade via Moreh is now quite small, whereas informal trade of mainly Chinese goods, without payment of duty and in head loads is booming. Export from Indian side at Moreh comprises of goods coming from other states with little or no goods of Manipur in the trade. Integrated Check Post at Moreh is almost ready.

However, there is hardly any normal trade. Most of trade between India and Myanmar takes place through sea routes. Unless, trade through land route via Moreh-Tamu sector is competitive in terms of cost and time, it is difficult to visualize normal trade flow happening via the much-hyped Trilateral Highway.

Tourism between India and countries of South East Asia is already booming. A large number of Indians visit Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia. In case the travel is by land routes via Moreh, distance will be reduced by more than half. It will be both adventurous and economical to travel between India and Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, etc. by road to enjoy the scenic environment, culture and traditions of countries travelled. A large number of Thai and Myanmarese visit holy places of Budhism in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

By coming to Imphal by road, the pilgrims can easily reach Bodh Gaya, Sarnath and other places by air or by road and train. Enroute, we will provide hospitality at Imphal and surrounding places. Tourism is understood to a be great job creator. With necessary and suitable accommodation and interpreters, Manipur can look forward to be an attractive destination for tourists.

Hardware of infrastructure and Act East Policy being promoted by the Government of India will not bear fruits for Manipur unless the software of entrepreneurship, investment and creation of conducive environment of better law and order situation are vigorously pursued. Opportunity may be knocking at the door. But, we may fail to seize it. Then, full benefits of Nongpok Thong Hangba will still be a distant dream.

Views are personal.