Integrated trade facility centre inaugurated
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 19, 2010: Ahead of the visit of an Ambassador team of ASEAN countries to Moreh town tomorrow the newly built integrated Trade Information and Stay Facility Centre at the border town has been inaugurated and formally handed over to Commerce and Industries Department today.

Addressing the gathering during the inauguration programme this morning, Commerce and Industries Minister Y Erabot reiterated that all out efforts are being made to construct a multi-purpose market complex at Moreh to enhance volume of border trade and sustain export momentum.

Conceding that Myanmarese traders had been reaping benefits more than their Indian counterparts after setting up of the Namphalong Market complex since opening of free trade between the neighbouring countries, Erabot pointed out that to ensure that traders from the indian side do not suffer from absence of basic infrastructure the state Government is fully committed to establishing a multi-storey market complex on the Moreh side.

Highlighting that from only seven enlisted in the export-import items when India and Myanmar side the Border Trade agreement in 1994 number of trade items had been increased to 40, the Minister also explained that main purpose of visit by the Ambassadors of ASEAN countries tomorrow is to assess existing facilities at the border town.

Commerce and Industries Minister Y Erabot inaugurates the integrated Trade Information and Stay Facility Centre and (bottom) inspecting the Centre's facilities.

He also expressed that due to increase in interest by other Asian countries to be part of the international trade expansion of trade facilities in Moreh has become inevitable.

Erabot further maintained that after approval by Myanmar authorities for importing 30 metric tonne of rice by government of Manipur agents for transportation of the food item have been identified/appointed.

In addition to confiding that clearance from the Director General (Foreign Trade) is being awaited to begin transportation of the rice quantity, he said necessary process had been initiated for tax-free import of the staple food-grain. Erabot also reiterated that 45 acre of land has been acquired for setting up the integrated check-post close to the international boundary and called upon people of the communities to extend cooperation for everyone will benefit from the free-trade.

Speaking at the occasion, MANIDCO Chairman N Mangi informed that under direct funding to the work agency by the Central Government the central Government construction of the Moreh Centre could be completed expeditiously.

He also appealed to the people to strive for sustaining peace and tranquillity in the border town to enhance trade activities.

Representatives of local NGOs and Government departments as well as business community of Moreh also attended the Centre's inauguration.

It is said that the newly established Centre was constructed with MANIDCO as the work agency under the financial assistance of Ministry of Commerce and Industries at Rs 3.70 crores.

While Rs 3.55 crores was used in infrastructure development of the three-storey building, the remaining amount was spent in the procurement of office equipment as well as public awareness activities.

It is worth mentioning that construction activities of the Centre commenced after the Central Government approved proposal of the State Government submitted by the then Commerce and Industries Minister N Mangi Singh to Jairam Ramesh, when the latter visited Moreh in April 2006. Jairam Ramesh, who was then Minister of State for Commerce and industries had visited Moreh in connection with the inauguration of the Weight bridge.

Among others, the Centre has six double-bed VIP rooms, 10 ordinary rooms with four beds each, a dormitory with 10-bed capacity, a dinning hall that could accommodate 50 persons at a time and an air-conditioned conference hall for 100 participants.

moreover, the Centre will also provide facilities for information related to export-import, a guidance cell, NIC-based data facility and separate enclosures for overnight stay of small time women traders and rooms to store their goods.