Date:30/08/2004 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/08/30/stories/2004083000020600.htm

Back Trade with Myanmar: Better road links needed

Our Kolkata Bureau

THE NORTH-EASTERN India, which shares international borders with countries such as Bangladesh and Myanmar, needs two things on a priority basis for sub-regional trade to increase in a big way — improved road network and telecom facilities.

Making a detailed presentation on "Trade with India's eastern neighbours: Issues and prospects" at a workshop in Kolkata recently, Mr D. D. Ingty, Commissioner of Customs (Preventive), North Eastern Region, Shillong (Meghalaya), said with regard to trade with Myanmar, there was an urgent need to move away from the traditional free exchange of barter goods (mostly agri commodities) and include manufactured goods and industrial raw materials in the items list. Calling for proper delivery systems to further open up border trade with Myanmar, especially through Moreh in Manipur and Champai in Mizoram, he sought better road connectivity up to the town of Mandalay in Myanmar. It is argued that better roads and improved communication facilities in the region can guarantee improved trade prospects and check illegal border trade.

Given the trade profile of the region, most items of export go without any value-addition. Mr Ingty said the unofficial exchange rates have also killed India's trade prospects with Myanmar. And, above all, the main bugbear for the authorities now was the militant pressure on the national highway route to Myanmar border.