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Moreh (Manipur), Apr 29 (ANI): In an endeavor to ensure the success of its Look-East policy and make the northeast a big trading hub in the future, a panel discussion on improving exports between India and Myanmar through Moreh, the land custom station on the Indo-Myanmar border, was organized at the Moreh Trade Centre recently.

Director General of Foreign Trade, Arup K Pujari, headed the high-level 13-member delegation from India, while U Hla Maung, President, Union of Myanmar Border Trade Chambers of Commerce, represented Myanmar.The main agenda for the discussion was the hardships faced by traders and the people while moving goods along the National Highway 39 due to the presence of many check points.

“Centre has been thinking of improving the facilities in Moreh for quite sometime. Before coming here, I had a discussion with Minister of Home Affairs, Division of Border Development and DoNER (Development of North Eastern Region) officials regarding the difficulties existing here,” said Pujari.

“I find this as a great platform for discussion as members from all walks of life have come here,” he added.

Goods between both sides are transported through roads. Earlier, the NH 39 that connects Imphal to Moreh was in a bad condition, but now the Public Works Department (PWD) has taken up its repairs.

The visiting delegation also inspected the construction work on the road.

“We are constructing this National Highway- 39 with the help of Central Government. They are funding its construction,” said Sarat Singh, a PWD employee.

The Indo-Myanmar Border Trade Agreement was signed on January 21, 1994, and border trade through Land Customs Station (LCS), Moreh, was opened on April 12, 1995.

Under the trade agreement, 22 items can be exchanged that include agricultural produce, grocery, clothes, furniture, electronics and plastic products. India’s exports to Myanmar increased to US 207.97 million dollars in 2009-10 from US 110.7 million dollars in 2005-06. The imports went up from US 1,289.80 million dollars in 2009-10 from US 525.96 million dollars in 2005-06.

“During this discussion, we will try to find out the problems that hamper trade especially the exports from India. And, we will also come up with the measures for improving the export from India towards Myanmar side,” said O Nabakeshwor Singh, IAS, Principal Secretary, Commerce and Industries, Government of Manipur.

Representatives of many trade organizations like AMEA (Association of Machinery and Equipment Appraisers), NEFIT (North East Federation of International Trade) IMBTU (Indo-Myanmar Border Traders’ Union) EXIM (Export and Import) Manipur, FAMIECCI and BTCCM also participated in the seminar. These organizations collectively submitted a memorandum to the Director General of Foreign Trade for upgrading the trade exchange facilities at Moreh.The event was organized under the aegis of Department of Commerce and Industries, Government of Manipur, and Shelliac and Forest Products Exports Promotion Council (SHEFEXIL). (ANI)