Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, September 19, 2010:
An Integrated Trade Information and Facility Centre at Moreh was inaugurated today by Commerce and Industries minister, Y Erabot.
The inauguration of the Centre came on the day of the arrival of a 19-member team of Ambassadors of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the state.
MLA, N Mangi, chairman of the Manipur Industrial Development Corporation (MANIDCO) was president of the function.
Erabot, speaking as chief guest mentioned that the Centre was being inaugurated prior to the visit of the Ambassadors.
The border trade between India and Myanmar will now be expanded to include other Asian countries, he said.
The minister observed that as in Namphalong in Myanmar, a market shed too will be developed at Moreh on the Indian side.
Government has plans to construct a multipurpose market shed in the town, he added.
Erabot further said that government had acquired five acres of land for the construction of an Integrated Check Post (ICP).
A diversion road will also be constructed to avoid traffic congestion in the area.
Reiterating that process of selection of agencies for the import of 30 metric tones of rice from Myanmar has been finalized, only clearance of the directorate of general of trade and commerce is awaited.
To avail maximum benefit of the border trade, cooperation is needed in spite of any differences.
MLA, N Mangi, chairman of MANIDCO, who presided over the function appealed to the people to take care of the Centre inaugurated today.
The Integrated Trade Information and Facility Centre was constructed by MANIDCO at a cost of Rs 3.70 crore funded by the Union ministry of Commerce and Industries with the objective of enhancing the Indo-Myanmar border trade.
The Indo-Myanmar border trade, it may be recalled, materialized in April 1995 after a bilateral agreement between India and Myanmar was signed in January 1994. With the addition of 18 more items, the cross border trade volume has increased to 48 items.
The increase in the trade volume is in the backdrop of the coming up of a Trans-Asia Highway uner the Vision-2020 of the country.
The Centre opened today will provide fax, xerox and internet connection facilities.
It has six-double bed VIP rooms, 10 ordinary rooms, a dormitory room of 10 beds, a dining hall, a conference hall with a capacity of 100. Special advantage to accomodate small time women traders would be extended by the Centre.
A guidance cell with a direct link with National Information Centre (NIC) will also be opened at the Centre.