The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal attended a crucial meeting along with  Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Shantanu Thakur of stakeholders of maritime development in the Bay of Bengal area in Kolkata today. The Minister – after interacting with the envoys of Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Nepal as well as industry & trade representatives – called for greater cooperation among all the stakeholders to unlock value in the maritime sector of the region.

Govt’s commitment to Act East Policy is absolute, Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (SMPK) to act as a harbinger of growth of the maritime sector in the region: Union Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal

Some of the key issues deliberated in the meeting were Trade through National Waterways 1 and 2 to NER for ensuring transit transportation of North East Cargo through Bangladesh/North East Region/Myanmar, to strengthen Trade Ties with Bangladesh through facilitation of movement of goods between SMP Kolkata and various ports of Bangladesh (Chittagong, Mongla) involving IWAI; Collaboration with Myanmar’s Sittwe Port in Myanmar, as a part of KMMTTP, to transport cargo to NE India, via Mizoram; Using Deep Drafted Facilities within SMPK limits for overcoming the constraints of the shallow draft for STS/Transshipment operations; Capacity Enhancements at SMPK through PPP Mode.

Adding further, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal said, “The Act East policy has been a harbinger of growth, not only for the eastern part of India but as a consequence, for the trade and business interest of Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Myanmar. The success of Ganga Vilas, which travelled from Varanasi to Dibrugarh via Bangladesh, has accentuated the viability of the rich potential of river tourism in the South Asian region, showcasing our rich culture and heritage.

Modi Government remains deeply committed to the economic resurgence of Northeast India: Sonowal

Similarly, we have successfully started operations at the strategic Sittwe Port in Myanmar which will open a new route for Northeast India as well as Bhutan and Bangladesh. We affirm our commitment towards the development of the maritime sector in the region and unlock value by empowering transportation solutions using our rich interweb of riverine systems for the growth and development of the region. This will be a true reflection of our PM Narendra Modi ji’s vision of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’.”

The meeting commenced with a discussion with IWAI/allied partners regarding the increased use of Inland Water Transport through River Ganga (NW1) and River Brahmaputra (NW2) via the IBP/KMMTTP route. This was followed by an interactive meeting of Ministers with the Consul Generals of the neighbouring countries (Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar) of India. The Union Minister commended all stakeholders for their stellar role in the growth of trade & commerce through SMPK and the region as a whole since 2013-14, and through continued collaboration & enterprise aided by multi-pronged initiatives.

Disclaimer: This is an official press release by pib.