Dimapur, April 19 (EMN): The chief minister of Nagaland will “seriously consider improvement of facilities” so that “Nagaland can be part and parcel of the government of India’s Act East Policy.” A statement from the chief minister’s office (CMO) on Wednesday said that Chief Minister Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu had observed that the region may benefit from trade and commerce with South East Asian countries.
“The chief minister said people of the region should benefit from trade and commerce with the South East Asian nations and said he would seriously consider improvement of facilities so that Nagaland can be part and parcel of the government of India’s Act East Policy,” the press release from the media cell of the CMO stated.
“In terms of trade and commerce, the 21st century will belong to the South East Asian countries and considering our proximity, both geographical and cultural, we should take full advantage. The region should not be mere corridor for trade and commerce with the neighbouring countries but should be the hub so that the people of the area too, benefit from the increased trade and commerce,” he said. The press release ‘assured he would take up with the Government of India to improve the infrastructure such as roads and communications in the area.’
The government of Nagaland has “earmarked” three International Trade Centres at Pangsha, Longwa and Avangkhu, it stated.
“President of the Council of Naga Affairs in Myanmar Mr Athong Makury, interacting with the chief minister this afternoon at his office chamber, said there is an ‘information gap’ and that there are better trade routes than Moreh in Manipur. Makury said Avankhu in Meluri Sub Division of Phek district has more potential than the famed border trading post Moreh and that transportation of goods from the Southeast Asian to Avankhu would be easier.”
The daily turnover at Moreh market is reported to be in terms of several crore of rupees, the press release stated. He is pointed out that goods are transported by waterways on Chindwin river from Mandalay to Kaliwa from where goods are transported by road to Moreh covering a distance of more than 400 kms, and the goods have to be transported for about 245 km to Kohima via Imphal.
“However, goods can be easily transported by waterways to Thamanthi, nearest river port to Indian border from where the goods can be transported to Avankhu or Phokhungri and then on to Kohima which will be less than 350 km,” Makury said.
The distance between Kohima to Phokhungri is 292 km and Thamanthi in Myanmar is located about 40 km from the Indian border.
