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Mizzima: An Unproductive Agreement



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An Unproductive Agreement

Moreh (Indo-Burma border town), January 2, 2001
Mizzima News Group (www.mizzima.com)

 The border trade agreement, which was signed between India and Burma
seven years ago, is still not fully implemented and continues to face
with many obstacles and problems. The traders in Moreh town point out
that Burmese government is not doing what it had assured at that time.

According to the 1994 agreement, traders from both sides may visit to
Mandalay in Burma and Imphal in India up to a period of seven days. For
that purpose, traders would be issued special travel documents by the
governments of both countries. Ironically, it was agreed that the
precise format of document to be used for such visits was to be
exchanged within a period of six weeks at that time. However, it is now
almost seven years that an agreed travel pass has not come out yet.

The Indian government in August this year approved a particular travel
passport for the Indian traders to visit Burma, but the Burmese side had
rejected it. The proposed "Travel Pass" of India was to be renewed every
year.

Without a proper travel pass existing, traders from both sides are now
unable to undertake the visits to Mandalay and Imphal. And they are at
present allowed to visit to Tamu in Burma and Moreh in India up to 12
hours only.

Traders and businesspersons from India want to increase the border trade
activities but it is obvious that they become impatient with the slow
process in implementing the trade agreement by the concerned
authorities.

Look at an example of Mr. M. Indrasen who set up "Indo-Myanmar
Friendship Tourist Centre" in Moreh with an aim to undertaking visits of
the people both sides. His office in Ward No. 3, Moreh town promises to
offer tourist and travelers guide and other travel necessary support for
both Indians and Burmese. He said that he wants to offer the Burmese
nationals to visit to Bodh Gaya and other Buddhist places in India
across the border route. However, he cannot do these without a "travel
pass" issued and agreed by both governments.

The blame goes on the lack of proper communication set-up in India side
too. Although his office is said to be equipped with telephone and fax
facilities, it rarely works. Moreover, the Indo-Myanmar Friendship
Tourist Centre has recently expressed its grave concern that the
international trade center at Moreh is deteriorating day by day due to
the "illegal tax collection" by the Customs Department personnel in
Moreh town. The fall, which has led to loss of rupees to the state
exchequer, is however only in paper while the actual trade is
flourishing, it alleged.

But, businesspersons like Mr. Indrasen is not relinquishing their hopes
altogether. He has proposed to establish a Friendship Garden/Park in
Tamu in Burma side and an Open Theatre in Moreh so that cultural
activities can be exchanged frequently. Another proposed is the exchange
of prisoners between the two countries. According to him, there are at
least 67 Indian nationals being imprisoned in various jails in Burma and
9 Burmese nationals being imprisoned in Imphal Jail in Manipur State of
India. He alleged that Indian prisoners in Burma are not treated well.

Many people in Manipur are eager that the two countries implement the
border trade agreement fully. As an ancient saying in Manipuri goes
"Nong Pauk Thong", they believe the Burma can be an opening door for the
prosperous Manipur State. And hopefully their hopes will become a
reality one day.

Nong Pauk=Eastern
Thong=Door



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<html>
<b><font size=+2>An Unproductive Agreement</font></b>
<p>Moreh (Indo-Burma border town), January 2, 2001
<br>Mizzima News Group (<a href="http://www.mizzima.com";>www.mizzima.com</a>)
<p>&nbsp;The border trade agreement, which was signed between India and
Burma seven years ago, is still not fully implemented and continues to
face with many obstacles and problems. The traders in Moreh town point
out that Burmese government is not doing what it had assured at that time.
<p>According to the 1994 agreement, traders from both sides may visit to
Mandalay in Burma and Imphal in India up to a period of seven days. For
that purpose, traders would be issued special travel documents by the governments
of both countries. Ironically, it was agreed that the precise format of
document to be used for such visits was to be exchanged within a period
of six weeks at that time. However, it is now almost seven years that an
agreed travel pass has not come out yet.
<p>The Indian government in August this year approved a particular travel
passport for the Indian traders to visit Burma, but the Burmese side had
rejected it. The proposed "Travel Pass" of India was to be renewed every
year.
<p>Without a proper travel pass existing, traders from both sides are now
unable to undertake the visits to Mandalay and Imphal. And they are at
present allowed to visit to Tamu in Burma and Moreh in India up to 12 hours
only.
<p>Traders and businesspersons from India want to increase the border trade
activities but it is obvious that they become impatient with the slow process
in implementing the trade agreement by the concerned authorities.
<p>Look at an example of Mr. M. Indrasen who set up "Indo-Myanmar Friendship
Tourist Centre" in Moreh with an aim to undertaking visits of the people
both sides. His office in Ward No. 3, Moreh town promises to offer tourist
and travelers guide and other travel necessary support for both Indians
and Burmese. He said that he wants to offer the Burmese nationals to visit
to Bodh Gaya and other Buddhist places in India across the border route.
However, he cannot do these without a "travel pass" issued and agreed by
both governments.
<p>The blame goes on the lack of proper communication set-up in India side
too. Although his office is said to be equipped with telephone and fax
facilities, it rarely works. Moreover, the Indo-Myanmar Friendship Tourist
Centre has recently expressed its grave concern that the international
trade center at Moreh is deteriorating day by day due to the "illegal tax
collection" by the Customs Department personnel in Moreh town. The fall,
which has led to loss of rupees to the state exchequer, is however only
in paper while the actual trade is flourishing, it alleged.
<p>But, businesspersons like Mr. Indrasen is not relinquishing their hopes
altogether. He has proposed to establish a Friendship Garden/Park in Tamu
in Burma side and an Open Theatre in Moreh so that cultural activities
can be exchanged frequently. Another proposed is the exchange of prisoners
between the two countries. According to him, there are at least 67 Indian
nationals being imprisoned in various jails in Burma and 9 Burmese nationals
being imprisoned in Imphal Jail in Manipur State of India. He alleged that
Indian prisoners in Burma are not treated well.
<p>Many people in Manipur are eager that the two countries implement the
border trade agreement fully. As an ancient saying in Manipuri goes "Nong
Pauk Thong", they believe the Burma can be an opening door for the prosperous
Manipur State. And hopefully their hopes will become a reality one day.
<p>Nong Pauk=Eastern
<br>Thong=Door
<p>&nbsp;</html>

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