Correspondent
IMPHAL, August 30
[dropcap]A[/dropcap] two-day workshop on ‘Manipur in India’s Look East Policy’, being held under the aegis of Manipur Chamber of Foreign Trade and Industry (MACFI) in association with Manipur Update, began at Classic Hotel in Imphal this morning.
Deputy chief minister Gaikhangam inaugurated the workshop in presence of state commerce and industries minister Gobindas Konthoujam and MACFI president P Loken. Speaking on the occasion, Gaikhangam called upon the people of Manipur to prepare for the country’s upcoming Look East Policy in the state. “Otherwise who knows we may become refugees in our own land,” Gaikhangam who also holds home portfolio opined.
He appreciated the organisers for holding such kind of workshop at the right time in the interest of the general population of the state and said it will help create awareness on the government policies. Commerce and Industries minister Govindas Konthoujam who attended the programme as the guest of honour highlighted the development activities under taken by the state government in connection with the upcoming government policy to development region and country as a whole.
Prominent trade experts of the country and the state, entrepreneurs, businessmen, academicians, media persons etc also attended the inaugural function.In the pre-lunch technical session of the workshop Dr E Bijoy, Dean of Social Sciences of Manipur University, delivered a lecture on foreign trade and its classification and the advantages of Manipur in India’s Look East Policy which was followed by a 30-minute discussion on the issue wherein many seasoned and fresh traders besides prominent entrepreneurs raised various kinds of hindrances which often disturb the trade atmosphere in the state while the academicians expressed their desire to consider the socio-political relationship of the region while addressing trade issues.
Th. Kishorchand, an economics department teacher of Presidency College Motbung, observed that the people need to develop a regional cooperation (among the NE states) besides resolving the local marketing system (street vendors issue etc) problems to go for international level marketing and encouraging the service sector activities (healthcare or hospitality) etc to participate in the country’s Look East policy.
Appreciating the suggestions and also responding to the questions, Dr E Bijoy of ManipurUniversity also said the changing geo-politics of Myanmar should be studied and takes the opportunity for suitable trade.
In the post lunch session, officials of export import bank of India and Director General of foreign trade gave their presentations.
Representatives of Meitei Council Moreh, Department of commerce and industries and Indian chamber of commerce will speak on various trade related issues on the second day of the workshop tomorrow.
