Kolkata, Dec 1 (IANS) Work on the much talked about gas pipeline between India and Myanmar via Bangladesh may take some shape in two to three years, Myanmar Ambassador U. Kyi Thein said here Tuesday.
“Some steps towards that gas pipeline can happen in two to three years’ time after the Indian gas companies like GAIL (formerly Gas Authority of India Ltd), Essar (Essar Oil Ltd), ONGC, IOC (Indian Oil Co) discover it in Myanmar,” the ambassador said.

“They have already started exploration in Myanmar,” he told reporters on the sidelines of an interactive session organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce.

Earlier this year, Myanmar and China signed an agreement that included laying a 1,100-km pipeline between the two countries.

Bilateral trade between India and Myanmar is expected to touch $1 billion in 2009-10 from the present $951 million.

“Major exports from Myanmar are pulses, teak and timber and we import steel, cement, fertilizer, pharmaceutical products from India,” Kyi Thein said.

India is the fourth largest trading country in Myanmar after Thailand, China and Singapore.