Imphal, June 22 2010: Along with increasing the number of Indo-Myanmar border trade items from 23 to 40, the proceed from export items has reached Rs 112.66 crores, Minister of Commerce and Industries Y Erabot claimed today.

Talking to mediapersons today, the Minister said that after the signing of border trade agreement between the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India and Myanmarese authority on January 21, 1994, the number of trade items when the border trade started was 23 only.

But now along with inclusion of 18 new items, the number of trade items has increased to 40 .

Moreover, instead of the initial barter system based on the value of the commodities, now cash payment system has been introduced for transaction in the border trade.

Accordingly, the Government of India has opened a bank branch of UBI at Moreh while the Myanmarese authority has reciprocated by setting up an Economic Bank, thereby facilitating the border trade activities.

So far, goods worth Rs 112.66 crores have been exported while the import value is Rs 56.70 crores.

Recalling that a two-day buyer and ground level official meet had been organised starting from May 15 this year at Tamu in Myanmar, the Minister disclosed that a 15-point agreement had been signed during the meeting organised jointly by the North East Federation of International Trade and Union of Myanmar Border Trade Chamber of Commerce.

The agreed points include issuing of border pass for staying inside Myanmar for atleast one week, cultural exchange programmes, development of tourism, allowing Indian trade delegates to visit upto Mandalay and Myanmarese citizens upto Guwahati, introduction of visas, food safety norms in accordance to International rules and regulations, import of rice from Myanmar to solve the problem of rice shortage in the North Eastern States including Manipur, the Minister further informed.

Opening of bank branches at border towns as well as Yangon, introduction of bus service between Imphal and Mandalay, lifting the restriction imposed on import of timbers from Myanmar and organising football matches for young boys and girls at Tamu and Imphal during winter this year have also been agreed upon, the Minister said.

The Minister added that the copies of the agreement would be send to the authorities of the two neighbouring countries for necessary approval.

So far, Myanmarese authority has given approval on import of 500 metric tonne of rice.

The samples of the rice to be imported have been tested and approved.

However, as one kg of rice would be cost anywhere between Rs 14 to 15, it is being monitored whether the public would want the rice or not, the Minister said.

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