BBINM Countries Collaboratively Maximise The Maritime Trade Potential: Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal

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 for unlocking value in the maritime sector of the region. Shri Sonowal also underlined that Narendra Modi Government remains deeply committed to enable Act East Policy reach its maximum potential for growth & development of the eastern region of India as well as India’s neighbouring countries like Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Nepal. The meet was also attended by senior leaders of the corporate world like SAIL, Tata Steel, IOC, Haldia Petrochemicals Ltd., BPCL, Jindal Steel, MAERSK Shipping Lines and many others.

Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal said, “Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, the Act East Policy of Government has gathered unprecedented momentum ushering a new age of growth & development in the region. The PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan is yet another boost to rationalise logistical paradigm and make  an attractive business proposition. The maritime sector as well as the inland waterways sector are major agents of change in this visionary scheme of transportation which is likely transform cargo movement  through an economic, sustainable and efficient mode. In this momentous journey, we aspire your active support and swift cooperation to extrapolate maximum value creation for everyone.”

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 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 consequence, for the trade and business interest of Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Myanmar. The success of Ganga Vilas, that traveled from Varanasi to Dibrugarh via Bangladesh, has accentuated the viability of rich potential of river tourism in the South Asian region, showcasing our rich culture and heritage. Similarly, we have successfully started operation 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 development of maritime sector in the region and unlock value by empowering transportation solutions using our rich inter web of riverine system for the growth and development in the region. This will be a true reflection of our PM Narendra Modi ji’s vision of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’.”

The meet commenced with discussion with IWAI/allied partners regarding increased use of Inland Water Transport through River Ganga (NW1) and River Brahmaputra (NW2) via IBP/KMMTTP route. This was followed by an interactive meet 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.