First Indian Cargo Ship Reaches The Sittwe Port In Myanmar, 50% Cost And Time Reduced In Transportation Of Goods

New Delhi, May 9 (TNA) With the reaching of the first India cargo ship at the newly developed Sittwe port in Myanmar, cost and time of transportation of goods from Kolkata and Agartala in India has been slashed by 50%.

This will promote promote trade connectivity and people to people ties between India and Myanmar and the wider region and will help boost economic development of NE states under ‘Act East Policy’ of the Government, union minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said.

Sonowal and Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister for Transport & Communications Admiral Tin Aung San, of Myanmar jointly inaugurated the Sittwe Port in Rakhine State, Myanmar on Tuesday During this event they received the first Indian Cargo ship which was flagged off from Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, 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, Sonwal highlighted the close historical, cultural and economic ties between India and Myanmar, particularly the Rakhine State of Myanmar. He reiterated India’s longstanding commitment towards the development and prosperity of people of Myanmar through developmental initiatives such as the Sittwe Port.

This project was conceptualized 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. The project comprises of following segments (Index map is also enclosed):