INDO-MYANMAR BORDER TRADE
A Border Trade Agreement
between India and Myanmar was signed in January 1994 and became
operational from April 12, 1995. Out of the 23 items traded, the
principal items are agricultural namely soyabari from India and
red-kidney beans from Myanmar. 7 more items i.e wood, bamboo,
tomato, sunflower seeds, resin, catechu and betel leaves have
been included for border trade vide Department of Revenue Notification
dated March 1, 2002. Border trade between the two countries has
been taking place from the trading point of Moreh on the Indian
side and Tamu on the Myanmar side. It should be possible to increase
the number of items traded even further. However, the existence
of only one border trading point is a constraint. Under the Boarder
Trade Agreement there is a provision for opening of a second route
viz. Champai (India) and Rih (Myanmar) which is yet to be operationalised.
Myanmar side has indicated that the road on its side is not yet
motorable. For promotion of border trade between India and Myanmar,
early opening of this route would be helpful. Government of India
has taken this up with the Government of Myanmar.
Government is
also in the process of setting up a Joint Trade Committee chaired
by the respective Ministers of Commerce to promote bilateral trade.
This information
was given by the Minister of State for External Affairs Shri Vinod
Khanna in the Lok Sabha today.
