Kohima | January 29 : A team from the Nagaland government led by Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism Yitachu was in Yangon, Myanmar on the invitation of Shwe Naung Yan Ltd, (Trading Company) at its annual conference held on January 24. The trading company is said to be for the development of Naga inhabited areas, towns or cities.
Yitachu was accompanied by NSMDC chairman Kipili Sangtam, Marcofed chairman CL John, Commissioner & Secretary for IPR, M.K Mero and two businessmen. The conference was attended by MP from Myanmar, public leaders, church leaders, Naga youth from Yangon and Mandalay. CL John was said to be the main speaker of the conference. Speaking to The Morung Express from Kolkata, Yitachu expressed his happiness over the response of the Myanmar government for allowing registration to Shwe Naung Yan Ltd.
It may be mentioned that for the first time, Myanmar government has acknowledged the team from Nagaland where the Naga leaders in Myanmar have been entitled autonomous status; four Naga members are in the Myanmar union government, one member at senate level and six members included in the state-level under Myanmar government.
Yitachu said the invitation has been extended to interested Naga entrepreneurs as an encouragement to invest in various trades in the entire Naga-inhabited areas in Myanmar. The parliamentary secretary also said that at present the trade between India and Myanmar is limited. However through the company, a trading system will now link the Nagas of India with the Nagas of Myanmar.
Commissioner & Secretary for IPR, MK Mero said discussions were held following the same evening of the annual conference with the Naga elected members. The deliberations focused on the development of the Naga-inhabited areas, it was informed.
Mero stated that Nagaland may approach the Central government to facilitate road connectivity besides other development in Myanmar. The Naga-inhabited areas have no proper communication network. He also disclosed that the trading company (Shwe Naung Yan Ltd) has submitted a proposal to the Myanmar government for infrastructural development.
The recent visit points to optimism about impacting positive change and ushering in development and forge a better relationship between the Government of India and the Government of Myanmar.
The visit may also boost trade between India and Myanmar as the International Trade Centre (ITC) is already recognized by the Myanmar and Indian governments. The concern, however, is road connectivity. There are only about 6 kilometers to reach the ITC from Phokungri under Meluri sub-division and 12 kilometers to reach ITC from the Myanmar side.
.JPG)
