Myanmar government authorities upgraded the Reekhorda- Zokhawthar border gate into international level facilities which is expected to lead to greater development of tourism and trade

“As the Reekhorda-Zokhawthar border gate has become an international level facility it will help develop tourism as well as trade,” said Vice President U Henry Van Thio during his inspection of the freight handling yard there yesterday.
After examining the newly- built cargo inspection stands, the Vice President stressed the introduction of appropriate upgrading programs and facilities through modern designs that are suitable to the country.
The border checkpoint between Reekhorda town and Zokhawthar village in Mizoram State of India is located in Chin State in the northwest of Myanmar.
Accompanied by Chief Minister of Chin State Salai Lian Luai, deputy ministers Maj-Gen Than Htut, U Aung Htoo and U Kyaw Lin, and officials, the Vice President visited the border checkpoint where responsible personnel presented reports on the volume of exports and imports and achievements during the period between 2003-2004 fiscal year and 2018, projected export and import amounts for fiscal year 2018-2019, tax revenues, difficulties encountered at the checkpoint, future programs, and the Indian-aided Tiddim-Reekhorda road project. Chief Minister Salai Lian Luai and deputy ministers U Aung Htoo and U Kyaw Lin gave supplementary reports.
In response, Vice President U Henry Van Thio spoke of the need to increase the volume of exports through efforts, to continuously study the market trend of India and to allow chemical fertilizers and pesticides that meet the norms set up by the relevant
departments.

During inspection of immigration procedures, including the issuance of temporary visas, the Vice President suggested measures that would facilitate the work process for the convenience of the arrivals and departures.
After visiting the heart-shaped Reed Lake, he met with local people, state, district and township level departmental personnel at Pyidaungsu Hall. He looked into the health and potable water requirements of the locals and made coordinated arrangements for the town hall project.
At the Surbon airport project in Falam, the Vice President heard a report on the work programs, completed portions of the project under the year-wise budgets, design of the retaining wall, water and power supply for the airport, quality control procedures and the completion of the first phase of the project in 2020-2021 fiscal year.
The Vice President said the airport must meet the required standard, pointing out the need to extend the lawn area, to complete the project in time and to take quality control measures in implementing the project, particularly in building the runway. Then he inspected the runway under construction.
In the evening, the Vice President and party met departmental staff at different levels and local elders at Taungzalat Villa in Falam, where they made arrangements for establishing a national park, implementing the Lithilee Dam project and local electricity distribution through coordinated efforts.
During the meetings, the Vice President said Tamu-Moreh border gate in Sagaing Region and Reekhorda-Zokhawthar in Chin State were upgraded into international level facilities, adding there were only four such international level checkpoints with Thailand in the past. The two border checkpoints with India should be aided with infrastructures of international standard, he noted, expecting greater tourism development, as people from third countries too may come through them.
Not just as a duty, but with full national spirit all should preserve and protect the Reed Lake, which is the symbol of Chin State, he said, promising best efforts to fulfil the regional requirements. — MNA

(Global New Light of Myanmar: http://www.globalnewlightofmyanmar.com/reekhorda-zokhawthar-border-gate-hopeful-of-developing-trade-tourism/ )

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