It was on expected lines that the governor of the state found the International Trade Centre(ITC) at Longwa, Mon not functioning and it was being used to shelter cattle and other domesticated animal, during a surprise visit to the ITC. Though the government of Nagaland had initially tried wholeheartedly put thrust into these ITCs in the border, it is yet to pick up and till now there is no report of any ITC conducting brisk business on a daily basis.
Throughout history and civilizations, trade was one of the major factors that shaped history itself all around the world and still it does at present. The concept of trading centres where people from two or more different entities come to trade is not new to humans and they have been doing it since thousands of years. However the one condition without which trade cannot occur is that of demand and supply that is also profitable to both parties. Then comes the type of trade, whether it's a barter system or it's through an accepted form of currency. Once these conditions exists and are acceptable to both parties then trading takes place.
To illustrate it in the local context; the first trading areas that Nagas encountered would be the ones that were in the border with the Ahom Kingdom. The border between the Nagas and the Ahoms had trading posts known as Duars meaning gate or door in Assamese, that also served as the gateways between the Naga and the Ahom lands. The type of trade was primarily a barter system. These trading posts were neutral grounds and the Nagas respected the agreement made with the Ahom king because it was beneficial and a necessity for the Nagas. The then Ahom kingdom was the main source of salt and iron for the Naga tribes bordering it.
However in the present case, unlike the most preferred Tamu-Moreh to Dimapur route the current ITCs of Nagaland in the border with Myanmar is yet to pick up and in some place its non functional. Our planners need to give a more realistic relook with a holistic approach. The terrain specific road conditions and the distance of communication can also be a factor. The living conditions especially the cost of living index of the people near the ITCs will also determine the volume of trading. The overall conditions required on both side of the border to encourage trading will also have to be addressed. The traditional trade that happens at present will also have to be studied and worked upon to increase the volume so resulting in increased capacity over time. However unless there is big a intervention by people or companies from outside the area where these ITCs are located on both sides of the border, trading has to somehow start small and its growth will take time since there are other more established trade centres in the other states that are easier and faster to access.
