'Pangsau Pass can help boost trade with Myanmar'

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

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 the Second World War, leading to interiors of Myanmar, could be utilised for trade and tourism purposes.

During the Second World War, the allied forces under the command of General Joseph Stilwell, had 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 that 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 the immediate re-opening of the Stilwell Road, which would ped to the vast trade and tourism opportunities and improve ties with other ASEAN countries bringing economic prosperity to the region.

Meanwhile, the Minister left for Tawang yesterday on his second leg of visit to the proposed border trade points to get a first hand information about the prospects of reopening of border trade with China and Bhutan, sources informed.

UNI