I had landed at Zokhawthar trade centre along Indo-Nagaland border on a day NCB Director also visited the high profile township in Mizoram.
Like they say seeing is believing -- we were witness to brisk business in the afternoon hours. In the Indian side shoppers were arguing and offering lucrative proposals and prices to the visitors - some of them their daily customers
"Omlo mo ...," one lady argued ... negating the request to charge little economical - the customer knew the art of making a fuss and she said - "tu Indian". Some people around smiled. He was an Assam Rifles personnel --- he said : "These women are very good in business. Their language is also same and often we find it difficult to distinguish Myanmarese from Mjzos of India".
Booming business is nevertheless happening regularly.
Some local Mizo traders were planning how to supply Energy Drinks imported in bulk and need to be taken to Champai, Aizawl, Kolasib and also Silchar in Assam.
"Business is business ... ," said Bruce P Hmar -- not willing to talk much during business hours.
"Join me for dinner .. I will give you Boksa (pork) and drinks and we can talk in details," he says. During the next round of meeting he said: " Govt of India is wrong in bringing fencing. Britishers divided us whimsically and your leaders in Delhi inherited that legacy".
Answering questions he said : There is no insurgency in Mizoram. We have good business acumen like Gujaratis and Marwaris .... we can transform Mizoram and north east India. It is said in Myanmar also there is lot of violence".
 |
| Stone breakers : Hardworking Mizos |
More Myanmar business : Commerce and ethnic bonds that break boundaries
Business to Business (B2B) interests matter a lot and have been generated
POINTERS ::: It is high time to open international borders for enhanced trade and commerce between northeastern statesand neighbouring countries.
The Central government is committed to deliver development to the last mile villages.
Need for Construction of All-weather roads in all villages located in close proximity to international borders.
With more than 250 ethnic tribes domiciled, the north-eastern states have now become the centre for investment and partnering with other global business communities and a platform for various collaborations.
*** When asked to comment further; analysts said ----- In 2023 when Nagaland hosted business meet related to G20 Summit;
delegates from 27 countries including delegates from Argentina, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Cote D’Ivoire, Cuba, Estonia, Germany, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy. Jamaica, Japan, Nepal made things a Success.
Zokhawthar in Mizoram (India) and Rihkhawdar (Myanmar) form a crucial, yet often informal, border trade point established in 1994, located 510 km from the international border. Key exports include agriculture items (soybeans, red kidney beans), while the trade is deeply linked to regional livelihood and cultural ties.
Key Aspects of Zokhawthar-Rih Border Trade
Location & Significance: Situated in Mizoram, Zokhawthar acts as a key gateway to Myanmar (Rihkhawdar) and Rih Dil lake, facilitating, for instance, about 6% of Mizoram's population's livelihoods.
Trade Mechanism: Originally authorized under a 1994 agreement, trade includes formal, barter, and, primarily, informal, non-monetized exchanges.
Key Commodities: Trade focuses on agricultural products such as beans, pulses, vegetables, fruits, spices, and tobacco.
Impact of Conflict: Recent civil unrest and security concerns have led to temporary border closures, refugee influxes, and disruptions in trade activities.
Ends
No comments:
Post a Comment