Manipur chief minister N. Biren Singh urged the Myanmar delegates to come and invest in the state during a conference here on Tuesday.

Inaugurating the conference jointly organised by India Foundation, the Union ministry of external affairs and Manipur government, on Connecting India’s Northeast with North West Region of Myanmar: Roadmap for all-round Prosperity, Biren Singh highlighted the potential of Manipur in terms of organic production, textiles, tourism and skills to draw the interest for investment in the state.

He assured the 10-member team that Manipur “remains safe and productive”.

“We believe our future lies in engaging actively to build mutually supportive relationships. Our vision is to transform the lives of the people in our regions and re-shape the economic landscape in the Asian century. We will continue to work steadfastly with this belief,” he said.

To boost investment potential, there is a new Industrial and Investment Policy to unlock the true potential of Manipur.

“The government is planning to set up a logistics park in the state to enhance trade, commerce and investment between India and Myanmar,” Biren Singh said.

India’s Act East Policy is a reflection to deepen ties with Asean. There has been a renewed effort to ensure the early completion of the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway and to extend the same to Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, he added.

Biren Singh said a feasibility survey has been made to extend the rail line from Imphal to Moreh (a border town in Manipur).

“A study has also been conducted on possibility of rail connectivity with Myanmar,” he added.

He said the formalities of starting the Mandalay-Imphal bus service are at its final stages. “We are keen for air links directly between Manipur and Myanmar. In this regard, we intend to propose a flight between Mandalay-Imphal-Gaya in collaboration with Air India,” he said.

The security situation in Manipur has improved considerably. Border security is crucial on both sides for checking smuggling of drugs, arms, cross-border terrorism and movement of illegal immigrants.

“We need to co-operate in release of detained or jailed citizens of either side for accidental intrusion,” he added.

Such a conference will facilitate in shaping a way forward towards a shared all-round prosperity of the Northeast India and the northwest region of Myanmar, he added.

Chief minister of Magway region, Myanmar, Aung Moe Nyo, spoke on the friendly ties between India and Myanmar.

He said Manipur has huge potential in the areas like of medical tourism. He stressed on the importance of strengthening the relationship between the countries in the future.

Myanmar ambassador to New Delhi Moe Kyaw Aung, Consul General of India, Mandalay, Nandan Singh Bhaisora, Manipur chief secretary J. Suresh Babu, director, India Foundation, Capt. Alok Bansel, delegates from Myanmar and India attended the conference.