Border Trade
Experts take it with a pinch of salt
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 28: Sceptical remarks on projected benefits jolted the high expectations from the Indo-Myanmar border trade as a National level seminar themed 'Border Trade Between North east India and Neighbouring Countries: Problems and Prospects' began at the Academic staff College of manipur university today.

The two day long programme is being hosted by the Commerce Department of MU under the sponsorship of North Eastern Council to deliberate on prospects of border trade shared by the NE States, and deterrents hampering actual benefits and ways to tide over the stumbling blocks.

The fact that NE region, home to a mere 3.74 percent of the country's total population and concentrated in only 7.75 percent of the geographical area and distant location of the region from the mainland were adequately highlighted by experts who spoke during the inaugural ceremony.

Goods laden vehicles from Moreh being stopped by the Pallel police in Thoubal district for the mandatory checking exercise

Infrastructural inadequacy, only two percent internal border connectivity with other parts of the country and apparent preferences by States of the region to sustain economic relation with the neighbouring countries on affinity perspective also figured prominently in the speeches of local experts even as Dean, School of Management Studies of Tezpur University Prof SS Khanka expressed optimistic and called for broader outlook by all concerned.

Presenting the seminar's key-note address, Prof Khanka opined that consistency in business cooperation between the region and Nations of South East Asia will tremendously boost trade and investment volume of not only the NE States but also of the entire country with region serving as economic link between India and neighbouring countries.

Stating that out of 89 land customs stations identified by the Centre towards promotion of border trade 35 are listed for setting up in the NE region contrary to which only four are operational at present, he also quoted recent findings of Indian Institute of Foreign Trade that trade volume in the Moreh-Tamu sector official hovers around the Rs 1600 crore mark annually whereas unofficial figures put transactions to the tune of Rs 2000 crore for the same duration.

Trade items listed for export on recommendation of Federation of Indian Export Organisation include fruit and vegetables, tea, rubber, medicinal plants and herbs, drugs and pharmaceutical goods, paints and burnish materials, and handloom and silk, said the Tezpur University professor.

Drawing the attention of the Centre for inclusion/exchange of service and tourism sectors between India and south east Asian countries, Prof Khanka rued the fact that huge potential for tourism development in the region remains large unexplored thereby curbing another vital component of economic sustenance.

While mooting that contents of Foreign Trade Policy be enforced to exorcise all ills impeding foreign/border trades rather than interpret its clauses to pose as barriers on smooth transactions, he nevertheless cautioned that opening of borders has its share of undesired consequences mostly connected to influx of immigrants, drug trafficking, smuggling narcotics items that could further imperil local population due to rise in HIV/AIDS cases.

This cautionary points are clearly enlisted when China opened its border to promote trade ties with Myanmar, the professor added.

speaking as the guest of honour in the opening session, Head of Professor of MU's Economic Department Prof L Tombi expressed strong concern that major chunk of benefits from the Indo-Myanmar border trade in the Moreh-Tamu sector is being reaped by mainland traders and business persons while attributing the trend to lack of awareness among the local community.

In an ironical twist to the ambitious 'Look East Policy' which the local population had been looking forward to better their socio-economic position, lack of awareness on transaction volume and constricted endeavour by local traders in tapping enormous potential of the border trade had been reducing the locals to the status of porters and daily wage earners, he expressed.

Echoing similar sentiment, Dean of School of Social Science (MU) Prof N Joykumar in his address as the functional president called upon the people of the region to wake up and tap the potential when opportunities still exist as belated realization would only lead to frustration in future.

The seminar was inaugurated by pro Vice Chancellor of manipur University Prof HNK Sharma.