Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh on Friday said that the road travel from Manipur to Bangkok will be possible within 16-18 hours once the stretch of Asian Highway within Myanmar gets completed as road infrastructure is of top priority.
Biren Singh was addressing at the inaugural function of the B20 (Business 20) session meetings - the official G20 dialogue forum for the global business community in Imphal.
Union Minister of State for External Affairs Dr. RK Ranjan Singh, Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Som Parkash and other senior government officials were present during the inaugural function.
Stating that plans afoot to start international flights from Imphal to Mandalay in Myanmar and Bangkok in Thailand, he said the Imphal International Airport would soon have a new integrated terminal and an air cargo terminal adding that train services would also reach Imphal City by next year.
Read: Manipur CM inspects preparation works for upcoming G-20 summit
“The 141-meter high Noney Bridge, a part of this rail line will be world’s highest railway pier bridge. A feasibility survey has been conducted to extend the rail line further from Imphal upto Moreh at the Myanmar border,” he said while citing that it will provide opportunities at the logistics sector in generating employment and business opportunities.``
Informing that Manipur has been recognised as the ‘Most Improved Small State in Overall Category’ for three years in a row, he said that Manipur Industrial Single Window Clearance Act, 2021 was enacted to promote 'Ease of Doing Business.'
He said that Manipur has a strong base of qualified healthcare professionals and specialists and that nurses from Manipur are in high demand across India.
Manipur has huge tourism potential in the form of our rich natural, historical and cultural heritage and the state gave polo to the world, he added.
In his speech, Union Minister Dr. RK Ranjan Singh stated that India’s Northeast region has the diverse potential to propel ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ by being the engines of growth.
On the other hand Union Minister Som Parkash stated that as India holds the Presidency of the G20, the country will make sure this presidency is “Inclusive, ambitious, decisive and action-oriented”.
The day's inaugural session which was attended by 72 foreign delegates from 23 countries, was followed by a plenary session on Investment Opportunities & Support Ecosystem for doing Business, Opportunities in Core Sector, Healthcare & Medical Tourism, Tourism & Hospitality, ICT, Handlooms & Textiles.
The foreign delegations will be visiting Loktak, the largest freshwater lake in Northeast India which houses the world's only floating park-Keibul Lamjao-the native habitat of state animal-Sangai (brow antlered deer). (Imphal, EMN)