Mizoram's formal trade with Myanmar by Dec

Aizawl, Sep 28 (UNI) The Mizoram government has prepared a blue-print to begin its formal border trade with Myanmar by December 2006.

According to the blue-print, Zakhawthar (India) and Rih (Myanmar) would become the trading centres for exchange of foreign goods.

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) had been entrusted with the task of constructing a Rs 5 crore land custom station at Zakhawthar.

'' The state government has worked out a compherensive long-term plan to start the formal trade with Myanmar, '' Trade and Commerce minister Aichhinga told UNI here today.

A composite checkpost would also be set up at Zakhawthar comprising representatives from customs, immigration and narcotics department of police and NGOs, he added.

The minister also said a double lane road would be constucted from Zakhawthar in Champai district from here within a very short period.

A 'goodwill road' would be constructed soon in Myanmar, for which a preliminary joint survey by BRO, state PWD and Myanmar government had been completed.

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

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