IT News
Imphal , Sept 1:
The Indo Myanmar Association, Manipur today observed 26th foundation day by maintaining Covid behavior. The foundation day falls on April 23 but remains postponed due to covid-19 pandemic. The foundation day held at Khongman was presided by Sh Shamu, Khongman, President Indo Myanmar Association.
Delivering keynote address, Pangambam Kunjabihari known as KB Enterprise highlighted the Association’s journey in building relations with the people of Myanmar particularly the Manipuri people who had settled in the neighbouring country.
Kunjabihari said the Indo-Myanmar Association (IMA) in collaboration with the Consulate General of India, Mandalay Sagaing District Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Manipur Industries Development Council, Manipur have jointly organized “Myanmar-India Business Summit and Trade Fair- from 11-12 January, 2019 at Town Hall Sagaing.
The Indo-Myanmar Association took an important part in the Summit. A 30-member delegation of prominent business leaders from Manipur dealing with various sectors participated in the event. The business delegates are from various sectors such as agriculture, fruits and vegetables, food processing, handloom, handicrafts, iron and steel products, financial services, healthcare, education, tourism, etc. The purpose of the Summit is to continue linkages among Manipuri communities, the business entrepreneurs of both the countries in this common platform. The business leaders from Myanmar had an opportunity to explore the possibility of business tie-ups, trade, investment and joint ventures with participating Indian companies. Companies from Myanmar can also take advantage of various opportunities for trade and investment in India particularly North East India, as today, India is one of the fastest growing major economies in the world and 6′ largest economy; Government of India has undertaken a number of initiatives and introduced a series of reforms to further improve the businesses to avail of the various advantages of setting up businesses in Myanmar as the business environment in Myanmar is changing.
He further stated that the Indo-Myanmar Association donated 13 wheelchairs and a number of medicines to 3 Sagaing Hospital as a part of the Summit. The Summit was followed by visits to 6 industrial establishments in Sagaing Industrial Zone and I Individual presentation at the sites.
Sh. Shamu, President of the Indo-Myanmar Association (IMA) speaking at the function said that the Indo-Myanmar Association that the IMA was established in 1995 and registered in 2003 under the Manipur societies Registration act, 1989 (Manipur act no 1 of 1990). The founder president of the Association is Bijoykumar Langam who was born in Sittwe, capital of Rakhine state in 1922. He passed I.A from Judsan College under Rangoon University in 1942. He, however, came to Manipur during the Second World War. He is indeed a true son in this region of India and Myanmar. In fact, he was the first person who introduced learning of Burmese language in Manipur. Thus, the Indo-Myanmar Association was able to produce a number of Manipuris to learn the language.
President Sh Shamu further stated that at the Manipur University too, the IMA managed to open the Centre for Myanmar studies and imparted 1 year Diploma course in the language. Our Indo-Myanmar Association was able to publish 2 books for learning Myanmarese under his guidance. Now, on the demise of the founding President, I was elected unanimously for the g post on 23-April-2017 and continued to hold it till date. Our IMA’s principal objective is to enhance the contribution to the growth and development of the close relationship in socio- Economic, Trade and commerce including tourism and health sector in the region thereby increasing the economy of the peoples of both countries India and Myanmar under Act East Policy. Since IMA being a non-profiting organization under Least Developed Country (LDC), we want to develop a good relationship with Myanmar in general and Sagaing in particular and also to be involved in the activities for promotion of the economy of the people in this region Sh Shamu said.
While releasing the souvenir of Indo-Myanmar Association (IMA), Rk Nemai retd IAS said that the bond between these two countries – Government to Government and peoples to people need to be strengthened. And during the Covid -19 pandemic the Manipuri Myanmars will not forget those help from the Indo-Myanmar Association (IMA). And people will want to read the souvenir because the article of the write-up is excellent. The function attended Rk Nemai retd IAS, Sh Shamu and Khogendra khomdram President EGM, Dr Leishram Lokendra vice-President IMA as chief Guest, President, guest of honor respectively
