New Delhi, Aug 28: Governor Dr SS Sidhu today held discussions with the Union Minister of State for Commerce & Industry Jairam Ramesh at Udyog Bhavan, for improvement of the Indo-Myanmar Border Trade.

Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh and the Principal Secretary (Commerce and Industry) PC Lawmkunga accompanied the Governor.

The Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce Christy L Fernandez and one Joint Secretary representing the Ministry of External Affairs also attended the discussion.

The meeting agreed to construct a composite check post at Moreh and the State Government shall provide the land required for the construction.

The proposed composite check post will provide facilities for immigration, local police including women wing, forest, postal and telecom, NDPS related department, banking, food testing lab, animal/plant quarantine, quality certification inspection agencies trade facilitation counter, truck parking facility etc under one roof.

It will facilitate speedy movement of export-import consignments The proposed weighbridge at Moreh will be commissioned before September 15 this year.

The State Government took up the installation of weighbridge under Assistance to States for Infrastructure Development and Allied Activities (ASIDE) Scheme.

The meeting agreed in principle to introduce Inland Container Depot (ICD) from Guwahati to Moreh and the State Government will put up a proposal to the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry in the regard.

The meeting also discussed the possibility of setting up the International Trade Centre for Border Trade.

The State Government shall submit a proposal on the matter.

The Principal Secretary Lawmkunga said the Centre is likely to be set up at Imphal.

Increase of tradable items from the existing 22 items to a larger number of items was also discussed.

The State Government had already proposed to the Centre to increase the tradable items by including bicycle and its parts, life saving drugs, insecticides, cotton fabrics including lungis, stainless steel utensils, cotton yarns, textiles and dress materials, motor cycles, readymade garments, leather footwear, paints and varnishes, sugar, imitation jewelry etc.

The Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry informed in the meeting that they were actively considering the matter.

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