Reopening Pangsau Pass to boost trade relations with Myanmar: Tayeng

Itanagar, Oct 17 (UNI) Arunachal Pradesh Trade and Commerce Minister Lombo Tayeng said reopening of trade through Pangsau Pass would improve trade relations between India and Myanmar which will benefit local people on either side of the border.

While interacting with government officials during his recent visit to Pangsau Pass, the proposed border trade point on Indo-Myanmar border, Mr Tayeng said the erstwhile Stilwel Road built during second world war, leading to interiors of Myanmar, could be utilised for trade and tourism purposes.

During Second World War, the allied forces under the command of Joseph Stilwell, ahad constructed the road in 1942. It passes through Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh and was used for sending goods to China.

The project was completed in 1945. A convoy of 150 vehicles from India started off through the road the same year with supplies and reached Kuming in China.

''The importance of the road increased as it is the shortest road to China and other South East Asian countries,'' the Minister said while pointing at the Centre's Look East policy would improve trade with ASEAN countries.

The Minister further expressed satisfaction about the progress of the construction of a border trade centre at Nampong in Changlang district.

Arunachal Pradesh and other North Eastern states were keen on immediate re-opening of the Stilwell Road, which would open up the vast trade and tourism opportunities and improve ties with other ASEAN countries bringing economic prosperity to the region.

The minister, meanwhile, left for Tawang yesterday on his second leg of visit to the proposed border trade points to get first hand information about the prospects of re-opening of border trade with China and Bhutan, sources informed.

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