It was a historic day for India’s communication towards Southeast Asia, especially Myanmar as Sittwe Port was inaugurated on May 9.
Indian minister of ports, shipping and waterways Sarbananda Sonowal and Myanmar deputy Prime Minister Admiral Tin Aung San received the first Indian cargo ship at the port which was a part of formally inaugurating the port.
“Today is a historic day for both India and Myanmar as we further our relationship for mutual growth and cooperation in trade and commerce with the commencement of operations at the Sittwe Port. The port provides an ample scope to unlock huge value in trade and commerce between India and Myanmar, especially between Northeast India and the Rakhine State of Myanmar,” Sarbananda Sonowal said on the occasion.
“It provides an efficient conduit for the trade interests of Northeast India for far economical and swift transportation between Kolkata and Northeast India. Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, the work at the Sittwe Port was accelerated as we continue under Modi ji’s leadership to enable and empower the potential and possibilities of Northeast India.”
Historic milestone for 🇮🇳 & 🇲🇲 connectivity!
Delighted to inaugurate the Sittwe Port in Rakhine State of Myanmar by receiving the first cargo vessel here in presence of Myanmar Dy PM and Transport & Communication Minister Admiral Tin Aung San. pic.twitter.com/0WqmzuWbow
— Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) May 9, 2023
Sarbananda Sonowal also thanked the Myanmar government for their cooperation.
“India remains committed towards the development and prosperity of the people of Myanmar through developmental initiatives such as the Sittwe Port. I am confident that the Sittwe port will act as the gateway of India to Southeast Asia, ushering growth and progress,” Sonowal added.
Sittwe Port has been developed as a part of the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP) funded under grant-in-aid assistance from the Indian government. Once fully operationalised, the Sittwe port will link the East coast of India to the North-eastern states, resulting in considerable savings in cost and time as well as providing an alternative route for Northeast India to access International Sea Route via Sittwe port.
Adding further, Sarbananda Sonowal said: “Under India’s Act East initiative, Sittwe Port is part of the $484 million Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP), being constructed by the Indian government in Myanmar. The operationalisation of Sittwe Port would enhance bilateral and regional trade as well as contribute to the local economy of the Rakhine State of Myanmar. The greater connectivity provided by the Port will lead to employment opportunities and enhanced growth prospects in the region.”
India and Myanmar share historic socio-cultural ties. Led by Hon'ble PM Shri @narendramodi Ji's #ActEast policy, we are striving to develop these ties for greater benefit of both nations. pic.twitter.com/Kpg4mENkUz
— Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) May 9, 2023
The seaport with a maximum capacity of 20,000 DWT will make Sittwe the maritime hub of Myanmar, drastically reducing the transportation cost of cargo from other parts of India to Northeast India, opening up unprecedented avenues of economic growth in the region. The KMTTP comprises 4 sections – from India to Sittwe Port via maritime shipping, from Sittwe to Paletwa via Kaladan River, from Paletwa to Indo-Myanmar border via road and from the border to our NH via road.
MV-ITT LION (V-273) which was received by Sonowal and Aung San was carrying 20,000 bags containing 1,000 metric tonnes of cement.
Sittwe Port has been developed under a framework agreement between India and Myanmar for the construction and operation of a Multimodal Transit Transport Facility on the Kaladan River connecting the Sittwe Port in Myanmar with the state of Mizoram in India.
The port connects to Paletwa in Myanmar through an inland waterway and from Paletwa to Zorinpui in Mizoram through a road component. Once fully operationalised, the Sittwe Port will provide alternate connectivity from the East Coast of India to the Northeastern states.
