Economic Survey Mizoram 2012-13 ~ 62 ~ Agriculture & Allied- Border Trade BORDER TRADE Indo-Bangladesh 1. Survey for the development of infrastructure and site selection for the ICP on the Tlabung - Thekamukh sector was carried out by RITES Ltd. In the year 2005 and their survey report was submitted to the Director (BM-II), Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India on 3.10.2005. 2. In pursuance to the findings and recommendations of the said report. Government of Mizoram identified and acquired land measuring 224.99 bighas at Kawrpuichhuah, on the International Border, and earmarked 9 hectares (65 bighas/22.5 acres) for the development of the ICP and its attendant infrastructure. In fact, the said parcel of 9 hectares has already been transferred on lease in favour of the Secretary, MHA, GOI and the Land Settlement Certificate (LSC) to this effect was submitted to the Ministry in February 2010. 3. Government of Mizoram has been striving hard to hasten the progress in this matter and insisting on upgrading the ICP-Kawrpuichhuah from Phase- II to Phase-I of the ICP Project. In fact, a number of letters have been written by the State Government in this regard requesting an expeditious action, wherein references have also been made to the verbal assurances given by the former Union Home Minister, Mr. Chidambaram. 4. In terms of the infrastructure towards the ICP at Kawrpuichhuah, the following initiatives have been taken up so far by the State Government. 5. A multi-storied Trade Facilitation Centre at Tlabung (Demagiri) has been constructed at a cost of Rs. 118.00 lakhs harnessing funds from the Critical Infrastructure Balance (CIB) Scheme under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, GOI, which was jointly inaugurated by the visiting Hon'ble State Minister of Bangladesh for CHT Affairs Shri Dipankar Talukdar and Hon'ble Minister of Trade & Commerce, Government of Mizoram in December, 2011. ,6. A truckable 18kms road from Tlabung (Demagiri) to Kawrpuichhuah through the rugged hills is being constructed by the State Government. In fact, the road at present is motor-able and involves a journey time of around 35-40 minutes. However, the black-topping and metalling works on the road have been completed in only 2-3 kms stretch and the remaining works are under progress. 7. Internal roads at Kawrpuichhuah are being developed by the Rural Development Department, Government of Mizoram tapping the resources from PMGSY Scheme of Government of India. 8: Chief Secretary, Mizoram submitted a note on setting up of ICP at Kawrpuichhuah on 10.2.2012 to the Secretary (Coordination) Cabinet Secretariat, Government of India. Accordingly, the meeting of the Committee of Secretaries under the Chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary held on 19.3.2012 recommended that the estimate for the bridge for providing connectivity to the proposed ICP may be prepared by the State Government and may be taken up with Planning Commission for provision of funds. 9. Public Works Department, Mizoram has been requested to prepare the DPR for construction of the RCC double lane over river Theka. Economic Survey Mizoram 2012-13 Economic Survey Mizoram 2012-13 ~ 63 ~ Agriculture & Allied- Border Trade 10. The State Government is awaiting approval of Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India for finalization of the site for construction of the propose bridge over the Theka River to connect Thekamukh (Bangladesh) from Kawrpuichhuah (India). The State Government has prepared DPR amounting to Rs. 27.00 crores for establishing Integrated Check Post at Kawrpuichhuah and the same has already been submitted to Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India for approval and expenditure sanction and it is expected that a positive reaction will be received soon from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. PRESENT SCENARIO AND FUTURE PROSPECTS for ICP : 11. As already elucidated above. Tlabung (Demagari) - Thegamukh route was the traditional trade route in this area where trading activity, both commercial and on traditional/customary lines, has been in existance since the late 19th Century. This route was the main supply link to the southern Mizoram, connecting it to the bustling port of Chittagong and the other parts of the British administered Chittagong Hill Tracts areas and thence to the rest of the country. 12. Of course, the volume and range of formal trade underwent a steep decline in the post-independence era, especially after 1965, but informal trading activity, exchange of goods and commodities through customary/traditional means and movement of people has continued unabated till date. If fact, the juices offered to us on site by the hospitable and eagerly expectant locals were all produced and bottled in Bangladesh. We were also informed that most cosmetics, toiletries, processed food items, chips, snacks etc used by the people in this whole region are imported from Bangladesh, albeit through the 'informal' channel. 13. There is no gainsaying the fact that opening this trade corridor would be of substantial signification to the local economies on both sides of the border, besides generating other positive externalities. Presently, the range and diversity of goods and items being exchanged/traded in this sector is quite impressive and is bound to increase in extent and quality once the trade is formalized. A brief snapshot of the items and commodities being traded here ia as follows: 1. Outflow from India: * Bamboo * Ginger * Chillies * Teak * Citrus fruits * Sugar * Cement * Passion fruit, bananas 2. Inflow from Bangladesh: * Cosmetics * Toiletries * Crockery * Garments * Schoes * Juices * Meat & poultry Economic Survey Mizoram 2012-13 Economic Survey Mizoram 2012-13 ~ 64 ~ Agriculture & Allied- Border Trade * Fish (Fresh, Dried, Fermented) * Electronic goods * Condensed milk * Cooking Oil 14. It can safely be concluded that there is a considerable potential for boosting exports from Mizoram in agriculture, horticulture and floriculture sector besides forest based produce like Bamboo, teak etc. There is also a sizeable demand of quarry stones and stone chips from Mizoram in Bangladesh which can be tapped for earning dividends for this resource-starved region. B. INDO-MYANMAR: Construction of Infrastructures required for establishment for LCS Zokhawthar have been completed and the LCS is awaiting formal inauguration jointly by the Hon'ble Minister, Commerce & Industry, Government of India and Ministry of Commerce, Union of Myanmar at there convenience. Even though the required export/import infrastructure have been put-in place, the connecting link on Myanmar side of the Border is a major hindrance for increasing trade volume. Therefore, a project for improvement of Rih-Kalemyo road via Tiddim-Falam was proposed. Subsequently, the Border Roads Organisation took the task of surveying and preparation of DPR. As per the DPR submitted by the BRO to the MEA, the total cost for construction of these roads as per National Highway Single Lane (NHSL) specification is Rs. 711.47 crores. This was approved by MEA and the construction of work is entrusted to IRCON Government of India and the Republic of Myanmar were requested to take immediate action for setting- up these connectivity inside Myanmar. C. ZORINPUI LCS : As a part of materialising the Look East Policy, the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project was taken up. This Project will cover two-lane road from Silchar to Sittwe port in Myanmar. Lawngtlai to Indo-Myanmar Border road is under SARDP-NE and construction is going on in full swing now. RDS Projects Ltd., New Delhi is taking up construction of two-lane road at two portions 38 Km and 28 Km and the Atlanta ARSS (JV), New Delhi is taking up construction-of the remaining 38 Km, the total length of which is 104 Km. This Kaladan road from Lawngtlai and Paletwa road from Myanmar will meet at the Indo-Myanmar Border called ZORINPUI near Zochachhuah. The site was visited by a team of Officials and heads of Lawngtlai District Council headed by Trade & Commerce Minister during the first part of February, 2011. Land Lease for the site of Zorinpui Land Custom Station is being obtained from E.M i/c Revenue of Lai Autonomous District Council which is expected in the near future. DPR for all necessary infrastructure will soon be prepared. Like other Trade Centres of Zokhawthar and Kawrpuichhuah the proposed Land Custom Station of Zorinpui is touching the inhabitants of Chin State of Union of Myanmar and traditional mutual benefit trade transactions have been carried out for generations by the peoples of both Countries. As bilateral trade is carried out vigorously within the framework provided by the Government of India and the Government of Myanmar, development of border trade with the neighbouring countries would have special significance to the economic growth of the states of North-East India due to its geographical isolation from the mainland and its Economic Survey Mizoram 2012-13 Economic Survey Mizoram 2012-13 ~ 65 ~ Agriculture & Allied- Border Trade relative proximity to the vibrant market economy of the neighbouring South East Asean Countries. Major items of exportable to Myanmar are Bamboo, spices like chilles, ginger, squash, passion fruit, sesame, banana, cotton yarn and all types of citrus fruits and major items from Myanmar are animals like Cattle, Pigs etc. processed meat tins like fish, cow, chicken, beef and pork, electronic goods, readymade garments, textile articles and either textile fabrics etc. Access to South-East Asean Countires will be provided by Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport on both inland and water through Aizawl to Sittwe port in Myanmar via Lawngtlai, Zorinpui, Kaletwa and Paletwa. Zorinpui will be INDIAN GATEWAY to South East Asia. As development of Zorinpui LCS is connected with the road from this Indo- Myanmar Border up to Sittwe Port, the same need be highlighted. Zorinpui LCS to Kaletwa-Paletwa is 129 Km by road and Paletwa to Sittwe Port in Myanmar is only 158 Km by Inland Water Transport (IWT) through Kaladan river.