India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Trade Proposed

By Sobhapati Samom

Imphal, Mar 31 : A 12- member Thailand delegation visited Manipur and Myanmar’s border township Tamu recently to establish a trilateral trade between India, Myanmar and Thailand.

Tharodol Thongruang Thai-Myanmar Border Trade in-charge led Thai delegation also attended a day-long Union of Myanmar Border Trade sponsored trilateral trade conference at Tamu town, near Moreh on Sunday wherein he appealed to the Myanmarese officials to help in boosting cross-border between the three countries.

“Myanmar would be the confluence of India’s Look East Policy and Thailand’s Look West Policy”, the Thai team leader said. “Myanmar would be greatly benefited from these two similar policies of India and Thailand if Myanmar takes up some pro-active initiatives”.

Vice President of the Trade Chamber of Commerce (Myanmar) U Myin Swe led the Myanmar delegation while the Indian team was headed by Officer on Special Duty L Dwijamani of Manipur Commerce and Industries (Foreign Trade).

The Myanmarese delegates responding to the appeal of the Thais assured that their country would make maximum efforts to facilitate cross-border trade between India and Thailand through Myanmar.

Proposals to identify the trade items that would be sanctioned for cross-border trade among the three countries were also raised during the meeting.

Dwijamani on behalf of the Indian delegates highlighted the importance of fostering closer ties among the three countries besides emphasising on the need to build closer relations among the three countries in the fields of culture and sports. The meet also agreed to identify the trade items for the cross-border trade jointly.

The Thai delegation also had meetings with the Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh and the Chief Secretary DS Poonia prior to their departure on Monday, in connection with Thailand’s role in the ongoing 16 year-old Indo-Myanmar border trade which was opened on 12 April, 1995.