Manmohan Singh visits Myanmar, aims for closer ties

[Ray]

(video quality is horrible and this is supposedly the official youtube channel of PMO)

PM ki Jai.

Even his official news youtube has gone down the tube like his bleating voice and silly economic and other policies!

Yet, given the option One would rather have him than that brainless wonder who is floating free and yapping his brains out!

 

[amoy]

If I may put it, let there be an invasion from the private sector. The GoI just needs to be the facilitators and pull back, rest, right from FMCG products to petroleum projects, the private sector needs to be pushed in big time, as such we are up against a lot of odds there, so might as well push in our best weapon, the private sector.

Imagine our extent of influence and China's, before the visit of our PM, the Burmese first go to Beijing to get a nod in a yes, and only then the Indian PM is allowed to step foot.

Contrary to your belief that private sector is the driving force I'd think state-run enterprises shall be in full swing in Burma endeavours. For overseas expeditions of emerging economies like China state-owned enterprises are more capable of enduring political + economic risks or short-term loss, than the private firms, evidently in energy exploration and infrastructures.

For instance Why China Railway Construction Corporation Lost Money on the Mecca Light Railway- Economic Observer News- China business, politics, law, and social issues But the CRC carried on the project because it was a political mission.

And similarly ONGC of India who's engaged in Vietnam exploration is also a state run firm, though unfortunately deciding to back off from the SCS embroglio recently, on ground of commercial considerations.

Burma dam: Why Myitsone plan is being halted is quite telling of risks.

In simple words, the state has to offer a strong backing, and even spearheading beyond being merely a facilitator, particularly in those "untapped" fields, paving the way for phase-in of private sectors.

 

[thakur_ritesh]

Amoy,

There is a difference between the Indian state run enterprises and those of China, and same is with the private sector, and so the two countries need to have a different approach as well.

You guys don't have to deal with too much bureaucracy, in India it is all about bureaucracy, which means something your state run enterprise could execute in months from the time of announcement, the Indian state run enterprise could take years and years to no end at times, now imagine where would that leave the trust on part of the Burmese on India's ability to deliver on what has been committed.

This has been our biggest flaw, we commit and tend not to stick to deadlines, and the delays keep happening and the constant reply of these countries is, Indians can't get the job done and immediately they compare it to how the Chinese deliver.

Our private sector has had a different story to tell, if they see money to be made, they are not risk averse and with them the political/diplomatic clout also gets pushed in.

Now a businessman will get benefits in other forms in India which will make it lucrative to go to Burma and get the job done, so it won't just be all about one project in Burma which would put the businessman in very tight spot. Example, take the case of Indian private investments in Africa. These investments are well backed by the state, these firms get significant benefits back home in India or in other parts of the world, on funding, a significant part of the investments are state backed, and where need be, their case is pushed by the various embassies or by the political leadership.

What we are good with, we should push that.

 

[ejazr]

I don't think anyone expects Myanmar to suddenly become pro-India and anti-China. We have better luck with Bhutan or BD for that matter in such an endevaour than Myanmar,

What we would initially want is to cut off the supply lines of NE insurgent groups and their bases in Myanmar. POssiblity of joing border patrols and military and intelligence sharing agreements, And prevent China from using its territory against our NE region. At a second stage we would like to create economic linkages through border trade and oil&gas exploration. Stregthening of political institutions and democracy. And as a bonus rehab and reconciliation of various ethinc groups back to Myanmar like the Rohingyas that are coming into India.

It would take a couple of years before Myanmar really is able to economically diversify from China as its main import market and that is what we should try to change first. ALongwith trying to become its no.1 export market as well.

 

[Sridhar]

India-Myanmar-Thailand highway to be ready by 2016
29 May 2012



The trilateral highway connecting India, Myanmar and Thailand will be fully built by the year 2016, heralding a new era of cooperation and economic integration of the region, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said today.

Addressing intellectuals and members of business community in the Myanmarese capital of Yangoon, Manmohan Singh said ''better communication is the best way of promoting economic integration and there is much we can do to revive and build arteries of communication.''

He said the two governments have agreed to cooperate in a number of road building projects. ''I hope that the very symbolic Trilateral Highway that will connect India, Myanmar and Thailand can be fully built by 2016.''

Myanmar is a critical partner in India's ''Look East'' policy and is perfectly situated to play the role of an economic bridge between India and China and between South and South-East Asia, Manmohan Singh said.

Manmohan Singh said India and Myanmar should work together to create a regional economy that can become a hub for trade, investment and communication in the region.

India is also implementing the Kaladan multimodal transport project that involves upgrading the Sittwe port and constructing a highway to connect the town of Paletwa in Chin state of Myanmar to the Indian border in Mizoram.

''This flagship project will revitalise the economy of the area and link it with important commercial and shipping arteries. We hope to complete it by 2015,'' he said.

Initiatives like the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) and Mekong Ganga Cooperation provide a platform for enhanced regional cooperation and connectivity, he said, adding that the two countries have also agreed to cooperate in the development of the border regions.

BIMSTEC provides a unique link between South Asia and Southeast Asia bringing together 1.3 billion people - 21 per cent of the world population, a combined GDP of $750 billion, and a considerable amount of complementarities. A study shows the potential of $43 billion to $59 billion trade creation under BIMSTEC FTA.

BIMSTEC covers 14 priority sectors lead by member countries in a voluntary manner, namely, trade and investment, technology, energy, transport and communication, tourism, fisheries, agriculture, cultural co-operation, environment and disaster management, public health, people-to-people contact, poverty alleviation and countering terrorism and transnational crimes.

India will assist Myanmar in the development of two areas contiguous to its border, namely the Naga Self Administered Zone of the Sagaing Region and the Chin state. India hopes to replicate small development projects that have been successful elsewhere in those areas.

The two countries have, meanwhile, agreed to set up several border markets, beginning with the one at Pangsau, on the border of Arunachal Pradesh in India and Sagaing in Myanmar.

''We are working to develop border infrastructure, including the Rhi-Tiddim road that will enable greater cross-border links and trade between Mizoram and Chin state,'' Manmohan Singh said.

These efforts will give a boost to the local economies and provide livelihood opportunities. Trade will expand and be brought within the ambit of the law. These measures will also help curb the activities of insurgent groups and other criminal elements in these areas, the prime minister noted.

He said in order to exploit the full potential of the economic relationship, the two countries need to facilitate trade and investment. As a fist step, United Bank of India is in the process of opening its representative office in Myanmar to streamline bilateral banking arrangements and to ease financial transactions.

India has already extended a $500 million line of credit to Myanmar to jumpstart commercial transactions.

India hopes to surpass bilateral trade target with Myanmar of $3 billion by the year 2015. But, Manmohan Singh said, the two countries have to diversify their trade basket. India can import more agricultural produce, coal and other minerals and export heavy industrial items, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and textiles, he said.
domain-b.com : India-Myanmar-Thailand highway to be ready by 2016

 

[Ray]

Myanmar ahs given notice to the Manipur insurgents to pack their bags and skedaddle from Myanmar!