Eastward Ho! What ASEAN means to us in North–east India

India’s Look East and Act East Policy over the years made us conscious and got us closer to ASEAN especially for us in India’s North-east.

The ASEAN ( Association of South East Asian Nations) compromising of ten nations viz, Myanmar, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Philippines and Brunei Dar-es- Salam.

ASEAN came into existence on the 8th August 1967 ( also known as the Bangkok Declaration). Its motto was One Vision, One Identity and One Community with its headquarters in Jakarta, Indonesia.
The Principal aim was to accelerate economic growth, social progress, socio-cultural evolution, protection of the region’s stability and provision of a mechanism for member countries to resolve differences peacefully.

India and ASEAN trade ties grew 22% annually during 2005 – 2011 and more than 37% in 2011-12 i.e. approximately USD 80 million. It has a promising trend to grow at a much faster pace in years to come with India’s Look East Policy. The signing of ASEAN – India Trade in goods agreement involve over 1.8 billion people with a combined GDP of over USD 3 trillion creating the world’s largest FTA ( Free Trade Agreement).

The FTA and Co-operation among the ASEAN members signify a great opportunity in the field of culture, trade and commerce with India, that too through land transport along the border of  approximately 1645 kms  that India shares with Myanmar. The most popular and the busiest border town are Moreh (Manipur) and Tamu (Myanmar in Sagaing Region).The other two yet to be developed and not fully operational border points are Zokathar in Mizoram (that shares approximately 515 kms  border with Myanmar) and the Pangsu Pass (Lido) in Arunachal Pradesh ( that shares approximately 525 kms border with Myanmar).

The Government of India’s initiative to develop Border Haats (markets) along the three border points with Myanmar of which Moreh (operational on a daily basis) and Pangsu Pass through Lido ( operational on a weekly basis) is a big step forward for people to people interaction and encourage culture exchange programs. The Border Haats will go a long way in years to come in promoting trade and commerce with Myanmar and the rest of ASEAN.

In my next blog I will be discussing in details the significance the border Haats holds in our trade prospects with the whole of ASEAN and  what Asian Highway No.1 and Asian Highway No.2  which connects Guwahati all the way to the Philippines means to us in years to come.

                                                                                                                                              S. M. Farid
                                                                              International Trade Consultant ( ASEAN Region)
                                                                                                                                                       shahfarid90@gmail.com       

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