IMPHAL, June 14: The Chinese government is interested in developing trade ties with Manipur, said principal secretary, Manipur, O. Nabakishore, who led a nine member delegate from the Manipur which took part in the recently held 6th China-South Asia Business Forum (CSBF), at Kunming City, China on June 4 to 7.
The principal secretary disclosed this during a press conference held today at its office chamber today at the new secretariat block, Babupara.
He said that the forum (CSBF) is a mechanism established for regional economic co-operation between Chinese and South Asian countries. Fortunately a delegate comprising of nine members from amongst the state entrepreneurs and Manipur industry department, led by him took part in the forum, he maintained.
The private entrepreneur included mainly from handloom and home furnishing industry like Ketawn, Apex group and Likla food processing unit. The main purpose for the participation is to exhibit and explore markets for products of the state in China, said O. Nabakishore.
He said that handloom products have great demand amongst the Chinese people especially ready made garments.
The principal secretary claimed that the authority there expressed its earnest desire to enhance the trade tie with the state.
A meeting was also held with the executives of CSBF wherein the vice secretary general, CSBF, Tan Lun, put up a proposal to export fertilizer in India besides that the Luosiwan International Trade City group also gave proposal to allot a location there for Manipur to exhibit its product.
The vice general secretary also expressed their desire to organize a car rally to create awareness of the trade relation, said O. Nabakumar.
The principal secretary while noting the short route between Manipur to China and other growing Asian countries stated that Manipur can be called as gateway to East Asia rather than South-East Asia.
O. Nabakishore observed that in order to get maximum benefit of the trade tie the surface road connectivity should be improved especially from the Indian side and Myanmar.
He suggested for a flight operation to Kunming from the state will be more economic and time saving than flight from Manipur to Delhi.
On the other hand, he further observed that language is another crux faced by the delegates and also suggested for setting up Chinese Language department in the state.
