IMPHAL, December 11: The Central government has approved to establish a trade centre at Behiyang area of Churachandpur District, near the Indo-Myanmar border. An agreement in this connection will be signed between the two countries by January 2015, said Govindas Konthoujam, minister of Commerce & Industries, government of Manipur.
This was informed to the media during an inspection tour led by the minister, with Phungjathang Tonsing, Minister of Health & Family Welfare and Ginsuanhau, MLA of Shinghat A/C, at Behiyang which is about 57 Km from the district headquarter on Wednesday, along with officials of Commerce & Industries department.
He further pointed out that the Central government will bear all the costs of establishing the said trade centre and the State government will handle the responsibility of road constructions.
The minister said that the land required for the trade centre has been allotted by Jubili Momoi, village chief of Behiyang which is around 2500 hectares.
He continued that the proposed trade centre has been a demand of senior minister, Phunjathang Tonsing since 2006. It materialised during the recent Indo-Myanmar summit held in Naypyidaw, Myanmar, he added.
He said that the State government will send a detail report about the construction of the trade centre to the Central government very soon, as the land required for the project has been assured by the village chief.
He also pointed out that Behiyang area is a perfect destination for establishing the trade centre as the roads leading to it are almost in the plain areas. Besides there is no need for constructing new bridge and moreover the area is nearer to Kalemyo, a trading hub in Myanmar, he added.
He said that the Commerce and Industry department is showing way towards export and import business to Behiyang people who are now practicing only agriculture. And at the same time the people of the district will also be benefited from the proposed trade, he said, before adding that people should give cooperation to realise the project.
Phungjathang speaking to the media maintained that it has been his dream to open a trade centre in the district. He appealed to the people to cooperate so that such opportunity should not be missed. He exuded confidence that with the realisation of the project, Churachandpur District will soon become one of the important trading hubs in the State.
During the visit, the Health minister assured to construct a Jogal Memorial Hall at Behiyang in the next financial year. He also inspected the PHC of Behiyang and assured to look into its infrastructural needs.