Comments
The Kaladan multi-modal transit transport project is cornerstone of India-Myanmar economic ties, feels Win Aung, President, Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Myanmar.
“We are anxious to see the project materialise,” Aung said, in an interaction today with journalists, on the occasion of the Federation’s signing of a business facilitation MoU with India’s Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry, here.
The ₹2,904-crore Kaladan project, which has been in the works for long, is a road-river-port cargo transport project that India will build for Myanmar. Aung, who is also the Chairman of the Dagon group of companies, observed that the project would make economic ties between the two countries “meaningful”.
He said that Myanmar was keen on India’s participation in Myanmar’s energy sector, especially renewable energy. Taking note of India’s expertise in solar, he said Myanmar would like Indian companies to set up solar projects in the country. He said that the Ngwe Saung resort at Pathein on the Bay of Bengal, would soon be fully powered by renewable energy.
Vinod Surana, Co-Chairman, Assocham’s Tamil Nadu Chapter, said that Assocham would set up an Indo-Myanmar Trade Desk in Chennai.
Later, speaking to BusinessLine, Than Win, Director, Myanmar Kyauk Phyu SEZ Holding Public Company Ltd, stressed the importance of the Kaladan project. He said that Essar, which is building the Sittwe port as part of the project, would soon complete the construction. Dredging work on the Kaladan river has begun, he said.
The project involves a waterway route from Sittwe Port to Kaletwa (225 km) along the Kaladan River and thereafter a roadway from Kaletwa to the India-Myanmar border (62 km). The Cabinet approved the project at a cost of ₹535.91 crore in its meeting held in March 2008 and cleared in October 2015, a revised cost estimate of ₹2,904 crore.
The Kaladan project is of crucial importance to India too. Apart from boosting the economy of Myanmar, the project will also make for an alternative route for goods from India’s North-East to rest of the (country and) world. Furthermore, the project will help India counterbalance China’s growing influence in Myanmar.
Comments
COMMENT NOW
Comments
Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.
We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of TheHindu Businessline and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.