NEFIT plans car rally to boost ties with Myanmar, Thailand

NEW DELHI:With an aim to promote trade ties between India's North-East region and South East Asia, regional trade body NEFIT is planning a three-nation car rally in November.

The North East Federation on International Trade (NEFIT), a body of exporters and importers from North-East region plans to organise the India-Myanmar-Thailand Friendship Car Rally expedition in which up to 100 participants are expected.

"Surface connectivity is the only option left to establish North-East India's meaningful connectivity with South East Asia for economic prosperity and development in conjunction with the country's Look East policy," NEFIT Working President Bijoy Phangcho told PTI.

The proposed car rally to be held from November 2-20 this year "is a kind of confidence building measure that will open up a new dimension of overland trading and dispel many doubts of prospective traders", he added.

Phangcho said the rally would be an opportunity to see and study first-hand knowledge on trading opportunities for new markets for the products and produce of India, Myanmar and Thailand by actually crossing the borders.

"It will also help in meeting prospective buyers and sellers through B2B meeting, seminar on border trade, investment opportunities, marketing prospects and other business sessions," he added.

The main aim of the rally, from Guwahati to Bangkok via Myanmar and back, is to map connectivity of the North-East with Myanmar and Thailand and focus on building more understanding and cooperation for better relations, he said.

Highlighting the potential that could be tapped from the Look East policy, he said: "Myanmar and Thailand could be the major transit points and major hub for ASEAN countries by 2015 when actually the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) comes into effect."

Commenting on the car rally, he said: "This is open to nationalities of India, Myanmar and Thailand. We expect about 80-100 participants and up to 25 cars. We may consider allowing nationalities of other ASEAN countries in the second leg of the rally from Bangkok to Guwahati."

NEFIT has been promoting trade relations between North-East, Myanmar and Thailand as well as other South East Asian nations as part of India's Look East policy.