Mizoram to begin formal trade with Myanmar by Dec

Aizawl, Sep 12: Mizoram government has decided to expand its formal Indo-Myanmar border trade with the opening of a multi-crore land customs station in the border town Zakhawthar by December 2006.

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has already been entrusted with the task of constructing a land custom station at Zakhawthar at the cost of Rs 5 crore, which was expected to complete within couple of months.

According to the government blue-print, now Zakhawthar(India) and Rih(Myanmar)-- separated by an international border, a varied culture and awesomely scenic and natural landscape is all set to become another hot spot for exchange of foreign goods.

''Mizoram government has worked out a compherensive long-term plan to start the formal trade with Myanmar by this December'', trade and commerce minister Aichhinga told UNI here today.

A composite checkpost would also be set up at Zakhawthar at border Champhai district comprising representatives from Customs, Immigration and Narcotics with local police and NGOs providing protection to the trade activities, he added.

The minister also pointed out that the road leading to Zakhawthar in Champai district from Mizoram capital Aizawl is to be made double lane within short period.

To improve the formal trade further, the construction of 'goodwill road' inside Myanmar is also in the pipeline, he said and adding the preliminary joint survey by BRO, PWD Mizoram and Government of Myanmar has already been completed. Inside the Myanmar territory 225 km stretch road is to be constructed from Rih to Tiddim and Rih to Polam.

Presently there are 22 exchangeable goods items under the informal trade agreement, which would likely to be increased once the formal trade begins, he said.

UNI