CM to urge centre to improve ITCs

 Nagaland chief minister, Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu, on Wednesday said that he would urge the Centre to improve the infrastructure such as roads and communications at Pangsha, Longwa and Avangkhu, which have been earmarked as International Trade Centres.
According to CMO media cell, the chief minister said that the people of the region should benefit from trade and commerce with the South East Asian nations. Dr. Shürhozelie said he would seriously consider improvement of facilities so Nagaland could be part and parcel of the Centre’s Act East Policy.
“In terms of trade and commerce, the 21st Century will belong to the South East Asian countries and considering our proximity, both geographical and cultural, we should take full advantage. The region should not be mere corridor for trade and commerce with the neighbouring countries but should be the hub so that the people of the area too, benefit from the increased trade and commerce,” he said assured.
Council of Naga Affairs (Myanmar) president, Athong Makury, interacting with the chief minister at his office chamber on Wednesday, said there were better trade routes than Moreh in Manipur.
Stating that there was an “information gap”, Makury said Avankhu under Meluri sub-division of Phek district had more potential than the Moreh, adding that transportation of goods from the Southeast Asian to Avankhu would be easier. The daily turnover at Moreh market is reported to be in terms of several crores of rupees.
He pointed out that goods were transported by waterways along the Chindwin River from Mandalay to Kaliwa.
He said that from Kaliwa goods were transported by road to Moreh covering a distance of more than 400 kms, saying the goods have to be transported for about 245 km to Kohima via Imphal.
“However, goods can be easily transported by waterways to Thamanthi, nearest river port to Indian border from where the goods can be transported to Avankhu or Phokhungri and then to Kohima which will be less than 350 km,” Makury said.
The distance from Kohima to Phokhungri is 292 km and Thamanthi in Myanmar is located about 40 km from the Indian border.