Apang keens on opening more border trade with neighbours

Itanagar, Nov 7 (UNI) Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Gegong Apang is on an official visit to the frontier areas of the state to explore the possibility of opening more border trade with the neighbouring countries particularly China.

While interacting with the army jawans at Bumla yesteday, he called upon the troops to maintain excellent relations with neighbouring countries but never compromise with the country's defence.

Mr Apang, who is on a two-day tour to Tawang district, visited Bumla, 40 km from Tawang township near the Chinese border yesterday, to explore the possibilities of opening of border trade with the neighbouring countries.

While interacting with the army officials at Kalemta, the chief minister said, ''We should fight with them not in war, but in trade and commerce sector and in earning revenue and enhancing local economy''.

There was a need for excellent relations for mutual benefit of both the countries through border trade, he said, adding although the neighbouring countries are well off in electronic goods, we can compare them in terms of food items, such as horticulture produces, vegetables and herbs and medicinal and aromatic plants.

''Look east'' policy should not remain a 'Lip policy' for this Himalayan state having traditional trade ties with Bhutan, China and Myanmar through its 160 km, 1080 km and 440 km border routes respectively since time immemorial. Central government should take initiative to begin trade through head load and on mule back with China to benefit the people of both sides of the border'', Mr Apang remarked while leading a high power central team to Kibitho, another town bordering China recently to assess the border trade potentials.

Earlier, Mr Apang as a practice in the border point by dignitaries while on the visit to the last pillar, also placed a stone on the 'Heap of Stone' as an endorsement of Indo-China friendship.

Local MLA, Deputy commissioner of Tawang district, and other government officials, Col Shailendra Singh, SM, Commanding Officer, 12 Rajputana Rifles, who is in-command of the Bumla sector accompanied the Chief Minister.

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