Visa Facilitation Office to be Started in Imphal Soon : N Biren Singh

Guwahati: The north eastern state of Manipur to soon get a Visa Facilitation Office (VSO) in Imphal. This was informed by Chief Minister N.Biren Singh. The VSO would issue Visa for 30 countries.

The Chief Minister informed about the starting of VOS in the state's capital city of Imphal while addressing a gathering at the Indo Myanmar Sangai Business Summit 2018, held at Hotel Classic Grande in Imphal on Monday. The Summit was also attended by Chief Minister of Sagaing region of Myanmar, Dr Myin Naing, Minister of Development, Sagaing, Myanmar U Myint Kyi, Minister for Social Welfare, Sagaing, Myanmar Dr Zaw Win and delegates from Myanmar and India.

In his speech, N. Biren Singh said that the Manipur Government has constituted a state-level committee to aid and give advice in the effective operationalization of Act East policy, Manipur in association with the Government of India, in order to strengthen the relationship between India and Myanmar. In the presence of the visiting dignitaries, Singh announced that Manipur Government would provide land for the construction of a guest house for Myanmarese pilgrims visiting Bodh Gaya every year. He further added that “Manipur shares strong cultural affinities with Myanmar in terms of taste and preferences with a huge potential for partnership in trade, commerce, culture and tourism".

Stating that Manipur is India’s gateway to the South East Asian countries, he urged upon the people of the State to grab the golden opportunity to help Manipur prosper. singh also added that“We all should work together towards building a better society and bright future. He further stated that Manipur will be developed soon if we work systematically together."

The CM also said that after the Look East policy’ was transformed into ‘Act East Policy’ by the Narendra Modi led NDA government ‘, the North-East region of India is seen as the “new engine of growth” for India and a keystone in India’s Act East policy. Singh further said Sagaing region and the state of Manipur are vital in realizing the Act East policy of India, stating that an Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Moreh was inaugurated at the beginning of the year to facilitate greater people to people contact, trade and commerce between the two countries. Speaking on the occasion Sagaing CM Dr Myint Naing said the two countries should ensure stable and sustainable economic development and build prosperous and strong relations. Noting the similarities shared by the two regions in terms of culture and tradition, he believed that such an initiative would provide a great opportunity to support each other at various levels.

The Sagaing Chief Minister also invited the N. Biren Singh and people of Manipur to visit Sagaing during the Naga Traditional Festival, to be held from January 14 to 16 next year.

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