Indian Prime Minister discussed the promotion of bilateral trade, infrastructure and power supply between India and Myanmar

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed infrastructure, trade and promoting investments between India and Myanmar during his first bilateral State visit to Myanmar on September 5-7.

In Nay Pyi Taw, PM Modi, Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw and other Union ministers successfully negotiated and finalised agreements on regulating and harmonising travel across the 1,600km border bridging the two countries in the northeast. This includes an arrangement to start a regular bus service connecting Imphal in India and Mandalay.

The move is expected to promote bilateral trade between India and Myanmar, which was also discussed at the meeting in Nay Pyi Taw. Both sides agreed that, while robust, there is much potential for growth in trade.

 As such, removing all trade barriers to improve market access is important. On the agenda is enhancing air connectivity between the two countries to encourage Indians and Myanmar citizens to keep in contact as well as promote greater tourism, trade and investments flows  

Infrastructure push

Infrastructure connecting cities in both countries was discussed. The leaders will explore the feasibility of the construction of a rail link between Tamu in India and Mandalay. It was agreed that a team from India would be despatched to study and prepare a Detailed Project Report for the rail link.

Meanwhile, the two sides agreed to appoint a port operator to be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the Sittwe Port and Paletwa Inland Water Transport (IWT)Terminal, construction of which was completed with help from India. The port and terminal were developed as part of the ongoing Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project.

This would enable the port and IWT infrastructure to be used commercially and promote development of the surrounding areas even as the final component of the project, the road from Paletwa to Zorinpui, is completed. Construction of that road will be facilitated by quicker movement of project personnel, construction material and equipment across the border through Zorinpui and Paletwa.

Meanwhile construction on the bridges at Tamu-Kyigone-Kalewa Road and on the Kalewa-Yargyi sectorof the Trilateral Highway will soon begin. In addition, faster construction of the Putao-Myitkyina and Alethankyaw-Ahungmaw roads will also be looked into, while preparations for the construction of the Rihkhawdar-Zowkhathar bridge and the Bwaynu bridge will also be sped up.

Energy partnership

Discussions also included the need for greater integration of energy supply networks between the two countries. Myanmar welcomed India’s participation in its energy sector both in exploration and production and invited Indian companies to participate in tenders for petrochemicals and petroleum products, marketing infrastructure and setting up of liquefied petroleum gas terminals.

Currently, Numaligarh Refinery of India and Parami Energy Group of Myanmar are already cooperating to supply diesel to Northern Myanmar across the land border. The first consignment of diesel reached Myanmar on September 4. Mr Modi  said Indian oil and gas companies are in the process of opening their offices in Myanmar.

India will also help Myanmar develop its renewable energy-based projects. In addition to an earlier offer to conduct a feasibility study for the development of solar parks in Myanmar, India offered to conduct a solar radiation resource assessment in Myanmar. India is also involved in helping to introduce LED-based lighting in key townships including Nay Pyi Taw, Bago region and Rakhine Sate.

(The Myanmar Times: https://www.mmtimes.com/news/bilateral-trade-infrastructure-and-power-supply-discussed-during-mr-modis-myanmar-visit.html )

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