Newmai News Network Imphal | November 26 “We must ensure a stable and sustainable economic development and build prosperous and strong relations between the two countries,” Chief Minister of Sagaing (Myanmar), Dr. Myint Naing said while addressing the Indo Myanmar Sangai Business Summit 2018 held at Hotel Classic Grande, Imphal on November 26. The Summit was organised by Act East Policy Committee, Government of Manipur in association with Business Excellence Group Manipur. Mentioning that the two regions have similar culture and tradition, Dr. Myint Naing believed that such initiative would provide a great opportunity to support each other at various intervals. He then invited the Chief Minister of Manipur and people of Manipur to visit Sagaing during the Naga Traditional Festival which would be held from January 14 to 16 in 2019. Minister for Development, Sagaing, Myanmar U. Myint Kyi, Minister for Social Welfare, Sagaing, Myanmar Dr. Zaw Win, Manipur MLA Y. Surchandra, Manipur MLA L. Susindro, delegates from Myanmar and India and others attended the function. Also speaking on the occasion, Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh said that Visa facilitation Office would be open in Imphal shortly for issuing visas for more than 30 countries. Biren then said that the Manipur Government would provide land for the construction of a guest house for the Myanmarese pilgrims who are visiting Bodh Gaya every year. He announced that to overcome the gas and petroleum products during bandhs and blockades, the Union Ministry has initiated the survey for the construction of the fuel pipeline from Guwahati-Silchar- Imphal. To deepen the relationship between the two countries, the Manipur Chief Minister mentioned that the State Government of Manipur has constituted a State Level Committee to aid and advice in the effective operationalization of Act East Policy in Manipur in association with Government of India. Manipur shares strong cultural affinities with Myanmar and in terms of taste and preferences with huge potential for partnership in trade, commerce, culture and tourism, he added. Highlighting that Manipur is the India’s gateway to the South East Asian countries, the Chief Minister said that the people of the State should grab such golden opportunity to prosper the State. We all should work together towards building a better society and bright future. He further stated that Manipur will be developed soon if we work systematically together. Biren then said that After the NDA government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi transformed the ‘Look East Policy’ into “Act East Policy”. North-East Region of India is seen as the “new engines of growth” for India and a keystone in India’s Act East Policy. Sagaing and Manipur state of India are vital in realizing the Act East Policy of India, Biren added. To facilitate greater people to people contact, trade and commerce between the two countries, Integrated Check Post at Moreh was inaugurated in the beginning of this year, Biren. He promised that he would visit the Sagaing region of Myanmar soon.
