IMPHAL: Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industries Thongam Biswajit Singh called on Consul General of India, Sailas Thangal on Sunday and discussed ways to strengthen trade and economic ties between India and China. The minister and his accompanying officials met the Consul General at the latter’s Lin He Zhong Road official residence in Tianhe district, China.
Minister Biswajit said that during the meeting, he dis-cussed ideas and ways with the Consul General on developing the Indo-China relation and stimulate economic and trade relations especially be-tween Manipur and China. He conveyed that during the present tour, his team has received several ideas and suggestions including from the Consul General.
The Minister, who stressed on China’s importance in the plan to develop Manipur’s economy, said now the government will work to incor-orate these ideas into the Act East Policy for the growth of Manipur’s economy. The Consul General explained importance of Yunnan province in developing Manipur-China relations.
Elaborating further, Sailas Thangal said India and China are big countries and Delhi and Beijing cannot cover everything. “However, if we can pro-mote relations between Manipur and Yunnan under the guidance of Beijing and Delhi, there will be fruitful cooperation and much progress,” he added.
“And Yunnan can be a developmental model for Manipur as well”, Sailas, while noting that both Manipur and Yunnan have many similarities including geographical and climatic conditions.
He said like in Manipur, there are also different ethnic groups in Yunnan and Manipuris can replicate the development model of Yunnan to develop Manipur. Yunnan also acts as land bridge between India and China, he said, adding that the place also has a political connection with North East India especially during World War II.
A team from Manipur led by Biswajit attended the South & South East Asia Commodity Expo and Investment Fair, 2017 at the Dianchi International Convention and International Sistership pavilion at Kunming, Yunan Province.
The Minister is accompanied by L Lakher (Principal Secretary Commerce and Industry), M Luikham (Director Commerce and Industry), L Inunganbi Devi (Corporator of Imphal Municipal Corporation Ward No 18), L Bashanta Sharma (Media Coordinator to Chief Minister of Manipur) and Chandrakishore Singh (President of North East Federation on International Trade), Manipur Chapter.
Source: The People’s Chronicle
