Border Trade and Cultural Exchange between Arunachal and Myanmar may begin soon
Itanagar
Govt of India is going to re-activate the Border Hut Programmes to boost the border trade and cultural exchange between the people of Arunachal Pradesh and Myanmar. This was informed by Ambassador of India to Myanmar, Vikram Misri to Deputy Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Chowna Mein. Vikram Misri called on the Deputy Chief Minister, Chowna Mein in his Office at Civil Secretariat, Itanagar on Wednesday.
On the occasion, Deputy Chief Minister emphasized for strengthening the trade and cultural exchange between the people of Arunachal Pradesh and Myanmar. For this, he suggested for selection of Sister Town one each in Arunachal Pradesh and Myanmar. These Sister Towns will act as centre for Cultural Exchange between the people of Arunachal Pradesh and the people of Myanmar and the cultural exchange programmes can be held twice in a year one at Arunachal and another at Myanmar in these Sister Towns every year.
Mein requested Misri to initiate measures to restore the Pangsau Pass and Still Well Road to revitalise the border trade between Myanmar and Arunachal Pradesh. He also asked him to take up steps to upgrade the Currency Exchange Office and Trade Center at border point to facilitate the movement of people and border trade with the Govt of India.
He categorically said that Land Custom Station at Nampong that was built by the Govt of India and Trade & Commerce Department, GoAP is lying defunct and non functional due to less trade activities from Burmese side. He asked the visiting dignitary to take up the matter with Govt of India and Myanmar so that a meaningful and consistent trade is developed which would economically benefit the people of North East Region and Myanmar as there is ample scope for the border trades to grow.
He also requested Misri to facilitate issue of VISA to the people of Myanmar at Integrated Check Post at Moreh in Manipur and in other border points as many Buddhist pilgrims from Myanmar are willing to come to India.
Dy CM further said that good hospital and educational institutions can also be established in the Indian side of the Border so that people from across the border from Myanmar can also avail the benefits. He also highlighted about the tourism potential of the state and said that the re-opening of Pangsau Pass and Still Well road would boost the development of tourism industry of the state.
Ambassador of India to Myanmar, Vikram Misri stated that due to difficult terrains in the border of Arunachal Pradesh and Myanmar, proper linkages could not be established between the Arunachal and Myanmar. He suggested the state govt to invite the chief ministers of the bordering states of Myanmar on winter festivals like Pangsau Pass Festival to build the bilateral relations to boost the cultural exchanges and people’s interactions.
He also informed that the VISA issue to the people of Myanmar has already been taken up with the Govt of
He further assured to take up the other issues discussed in the meeting with the Govt of India and the Myanmar.
Misri is on three days official visit to the state among other states of the North East to explore the possibilities of strengthening the bilateral relations between North East Region of India and Myanmar.
Chief Secretary, Shakuntala D Gamlin, Principal Secretary(Home), Satya Gopal and Additional Secretary (finance), Y W Ringu were also present on the occasion.
