Zoramthanga on Indo-Myanmar Broder Trade

The Mizoram government would request the Centre and the Bangladesh government to expedite opening of Indo-Bangladesh border trade at the proposed Kawrpuichhuah border trade centre, said state Chief Minister Zoramthanga on Wednesday.

He was intervening in the discussion on border trade with Bangladesh and Myanmar during Question Hour in the Assembly

"Now, the ball is in the hands of the leaders from both the neighbouring nations," Zoramthanga further said, adding, "I would again personally take up the matter with the new government at the Centre soon."

Zoramthanga further said he has raised the matter with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Commerce as well as with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Shedding light on the Kaladan Multi Modal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP) to provide road link to Sittwe port in Myanmar, the Mizoram CM informed that no works have been executed so far on Myanmar side despite financial aid given by the Indian government.

"This will definitely delay the project," he said.

Mizoram Commerce and Industries Minister Dr R Lalthangliana, while replying to questions from F Lalnunmawia and Vanlaltanpuia, said, "At least 85.50 per cent of the Kaladan Multi Modal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP) has been completed so far."

Lalthangliana said that that the project is scheduled to be completed by March 2020.

It may be mentioned here that the KMTTP project would link Myanmar border from southernmost Mizoram's Lawngtlai town and the road inside Myanmar would link a river from where the Sittwe port (earlier known as Akyab port) would be approached with the inland waterway.