Mokokchung, September 20 (MExN): In an attempt to foster trade and commerce, specifically between Myanmar and North East India states, a business conclave was initiated by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and hosted by the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industries (UMFCCI), held from September 13 to 15, at various venues in Myanmar. About 30 delegates from the Indian side attended the conclave, led by ICC officials and Rajya Sapha MP, MS Aiyar, according to Tsukti Longkumer, one of the delegates from Nagaland. Four delegates from Nagaland attended the conclave, including IPR Commissioner & Secretary MK Mero, Tsukti Longkumer, Ababe Ezung and Chandu Agarwal.
It is learnt that the delegates after their arrival in Rangoon called on the Indian Ambassador to Myanmar, Dr. VSSeshadri and later attended an ‘Interactive Seminar’ at UMFCCI Towers followed by an ‘Investor Networking’ program. The UMFCCI is also learnt to have presented a paper on “Imagine business opportunities in trade and commerce between NE India and Myanmar.” Several UMFCCI officials led by their president as well as a good number of business people from Myanmar attended the seminar, according to MK Mero. He also said over telephone that the Indian delegates were also taken for industrial visits after the seminar. On the next day, the delegates visited Myanmar’s new capital Nay Pyi Taw. Myanmar’s ministers for Commerce, Forest, Agriculture and Industries also attended the conclave there. On September 15, at Sedona Hotel in Mandalay, a seminar on “Strengthening Border Trade between India and Myanmar – Way Forward” was held.
A panel discussion was conducted during the seminar, where each NE Indian state were allotted five minutes each to share their “plan to strengthen border trade” and to “identify the bottlenecks in trade and commerce between NE India and Myanmar and also sectors in which the region can look for joint ventures.”
When asked what the immediate benefit would be for Nagaland as a result of the conclave, MK Mero stated that since there are no proper road connectivity and the state’s border areas lack infrastructure, Nagaland’s immediate benefit would not be much. Otherwise, Mero said, Myanmar has surplus production of agricultural produces like rice and soya which can be imported into the state. “Border areas in both sides of the border have been long neglected. Border trade is not possible without road connectivity and proper infrastructure like telecom.” It is learnt that a high official from Myanmar is likely to visit the State, most like during the Hornbill Festival, to inaugurate an ‘international trade center’ in the state.
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