IMPHAL, August 30: The 18th foundation day of the Indo Myanmar Border Traders’ Union (IMBTU) was today held at the Manipur Press Club at Majorkhul.
Govindas Konthoujam, Minister of Commerce & Industries, Govt of Manipur, W Nabachandra president IMBTU, Wangkhemcha Shyamjai president AMWJU, Prof Priyoranjan, Economics department, Manipur University and B John Tilangtingkhuma, Director Com & Industry, Govt of Manipur attended the function as chief guest, president and guests of honour respectively.
The general secretary of IMBTU, Kapoor said in his keynote address that there are 60 trade items including the recently enlisted 22 items in the Indo-Myanmar trade.
He further asserted that the number of trade items could be increased.
He appealed to the government to frame a trade policy in the state which could encourage the Indo-Myanmar trading and to set up a separate Directorate Commerce & Industry in the state.
Prof Mohendra in his speech said that Manipur is a land of culture.
He further stressed the need for developing a commercial culture among the people of Manipur while adding that commercial culture will provide a bridge to trading. He also expressed the need for institutionalization.
Wangkhemcha Shyamjai, president AMWJU mentioned in his speech on the backwardness of trade and commerce in the state.
He further urged the concerned authorities to make known the enlisted 62 trade items in detail.
The president of the journalists union commented on the illegal collection of taxes on the highways and also the necessity of testing the packaged foods imported into the state from Myanmar.
Govindas Konthoujam, Minister of commerce & industries said that trade is a very important human activity in a civilization.
Announcing that he has sought technical support from the CM, he further said that the government will try to formulate a trade policy and set up a separate directorate for commerce and industries at the earliest.