A two-day workshop cum awareness programme on development of Indo-Myanmar border trade was held in the conference hall of the newly constructed Moreh Trade Centre at Moreh. Ministers and officials of the two countries came together    for the first time on one platform and held a comprehensive dialogue.

Manipur was represented by Commerce and Industries Minister Th Devendra, Power Minister Phungzathang, Municipal Area and Housing and Urban Development Minister Laishram Nandakumar, Social Welfare Minister D K Korungthang and Planning and Vigilance Minister Nongthonbam Biren besides a galaxy of officials. RBI’s deputy general manager, Customs’ additional commissioner at Moreh and chief officer United Bank of India (International banking division) took part in the deliberations.

Myanmar was represented by President of Myanmar Chamber of Border Trade, senior officials and five resource persons.  Indo-Myanmar border trade got off to a flying start on April 5, 1995 when the then Commerce P Chidambaram and his Myanmar counterpart flew into the Moreh Township and inaugurated the joint effort.

Since then the volume of border trade has been increasing. Many unemployed North-Eastern youth particularly Manipuris have found new opening in marketing though on a small scale. The workshop urged Myanmar Economic Banking and United Bank of India (International Banking Division) for introducing a letter of credit (LoC) facility to give a boost to trade. There is a move to set up an hotline facilities between the chambers of commerce of both countries. These moves, Th Devendra, hopde will end the prevailing barter trade in some items. Power Minister Phungzathang Tonshing stressed the need to improve law and order situation along the border particularly in the area  for smooth flow of the trade.

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