Myanmar Ties Boost: Sarbananda Sonowal Receives First Indian Cargo Ship At The Sittwe Port

Aiming to promote trade connectivity and people to people ties between India and Myanmar, Union Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal received the first Indian cargo ship at the Sittwe Port.

Sonowal along with Myanmar's Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister for Transport and Communications Admiral Tin Aung San jointly inaugurated the Sittwe Port in Rakhine State, Myanmar.

They received the ship which was flagged off from Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port in Kolkata.

The operationalisation of Sittwe Port would enhance bilateral and regional trade as well as contribute to the local economy of Rakhine state of Myanmar.

The greater connectivity provided by the port will lead to employment opportunities and enhanced growth prospects in the region.

In his remarks at the inauguration ceremony, Sonowal highlighted the close historical, cultural and economic ties between India and Myanmar.

He said this will help boost economic development of north eastern states under the ‘Act East Policy’ of the government.

He reiterated India’s longstanding commitment towards the development and prosperity of people of Myanmar through initiatives such as the Sittwe Port.

The project was conceptualised to provide an alternative connectivity of Mizoram with Haldia/Kolkata/any Indian ports through Kaladan River in Myanmar.

The project envisages highway/road transport from Mizoram to Paletwa (Myanmar), thereafter from Paletwa to Sittwe (Myanmar) by Inland Water Transport (IWT) and from Sittwe to any port in India by maritime shipping.

Sittwe Port has been developed as a part of the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP) funded under grant in aid assistance from India.

Once fully operationalised the waterway and road components of KMTTP will link the East coast of India to the north eastern states through the Sittwe Port.