IMPHAL, March 30: `The state government plans to employ 2,25,000 youths in 61 blocks under the Rural Industrial Service Centres Programme. It is already initiated in Senapati, Bishnupur and Thoubal districts. Convergenceand synergy towards agro based productivity is the key word to harness from the border trade bloom. Manipur has started growing in textile tourism and health tourism as well. Sangai Festival has showcased the magnificent potential of the state in various aspects. Rural BPO can be another feasible employment avenue.`
This was stated Vivek Kumar Dewangan, IAS, Commissioner (Commerce & Industries) GoM, speaking at the two days National Seminar on `Border Trade at Moreh: Past, Present and Future`™ organised by Dept of Economics at Manipur University, Canchipur.
The inaugural event was attended by Prof. W. Nabakumar, Director, Centre for Myanmar Studies; Prof. L. Tombi, HOD, Economic; Prof. E. Bijoykumar Singh, Coordinator UGC-SAP and Dr Ksh. Jhaljit, Deputy Coordinator UGC-SAP.
Several papers related to the theme were presented by Prof. E. Bijoykumar Singh, Dr Chinglen Maisnam, S Meghachandra Singh, Rajkumari Sona Devi and L. Herojit Singh & H. Bonny Singh. Veteran trader Sh. Rajmani Sharma and Yumnamcha Dilipkumar gave interesting insights about legal and illegal border trade from their experiences.
Prof E Bijoykumar Singh`™s paper titled `Studying Border Trade at Moreh`™ is an exhaustive and informative work detailing the chronology of India-Myanmar border trade, major export and import, bilateral mechanisms, investments, developmental projects, BIMSTEC and other regional groupings.