Tamu Merchants Association has submitted a plan to establish  an economic zone in Tamu, Sagaing Region near the Myanmar-India, said its chair Hla Maung.

It was proposed at the 29th monthly regular meeting between the private sector development committee and local entrepreneurs, on August 24. 

“Now the Indian government is upgrading Kalewa-Yargyi-Monywa road. It is a highway for Myanmar as well as an international highway that connects Thailand-Myanmar-India. That part of the highway is being upgraded, spending millions of money as Tamu is the ASEAN’s gateway. So we propose this plan.”

“Tamu is the single place that has gained the upper hand in the border trade for exports. Myanmar mainly exports betel nut and green peas. Merchants temporarily build around 40 to 50 warehouses on the State-owned land. They have to store their goods there and export them. It is not impossible in the long-term,” he added.

“In time of the-then government, around 60 acres out of the town plan was designated as the economic zone. There are 26 acres left due to the squatting. I worry that this land might be idle without utilization for the economic development of the country in the long-term. The move aims to systematically develop an economic zone in the border. Currently, Imphal-Moreh road is being upgraded. The budgets have been allotted for the construction of bridges and roads. The project has faced suspension due to the dispute between the tender-winning companies and the Indian government. The projects will resume soon after the tender is invited. Both citizens can visit Myanmar and India through the border with visa. Thanks to it, the border trade will improve. Patients can make kidney transplant at the hospitals in Imphal,” he added.

India-Myanmar border trade camp (Tamu) was opened since 1995. The number of those who enter India-Myanmar border has reached around 500 every month. Nampharlon market in Tamu has to rely on buyers from India.