New boost to trans-border trade with SE Asia
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 27 2011:
In a landmark event and a big boost towards opening and boosting cross-border trade among India, Myanmar and Thailand, a trilateral trade conference was held the Water World, Tamu yesterday.
The Thai delegates attending the conference was led by the Thai-Myanmar Border Trade in-charge Tharodol Thongruang, Myanmar while the Myanmarese delegates were headed by vice-president of the Trade Chamber of Commerce U Myin Swe.
The Indian side was led by Commerce and Industries (Foreign Trade) OSD Dwijamani.
The conference held under the aegis of the Union of Myanmar Border Trade was attended by around 40 officials and traders from the three countries.
It is reported that the conference proved to be a major milestone towards boosting cross-border between the three countries.
Addressing the conference, Thai-Myanmar Border Trade in-charge Tharodol Thongruang said that Myanmar would be the confluence of India's Look East Policy and Thailand's Look West Policy.
Myanmar would be greatly benefited from these two similar policies of India and Thailand if Myanmar takes up some pro-active initiatives, Tharodol said.
|
The Myanmarese delegates assured that their country would make maximum efforts to facilitate cross-border trade between India and Thailand through Myanmar.
Proposals to identify the trade items that would be sanctioned for cross-border trade among the three countries were also raised during the meeting.
Speaking on behalf of the Indian delegates, Foreign Trade OSD Dwijamani highlighted the importance of fostering closer ties among the three countries.
He particularly emphasised on the need to build closer relations among India, Myanmar and Thailand in the fields of culture and sports.
Later, the delegates agreed on identifying the trade items for the cross-border trade jointly.
Notably, a team of Thai delegates visited Imphal on March 25 and had meetings with the Chief Minister, the Chief Secretary and associations related and concerned with border trade.
Incidentally, formal border trade between India and Myanmar was opened in April 1995 .