In a bid to give a boost to the swelling trade with Burma, Indian Commerce Ministry has opened a foreign trade office in Manipur, bordering Burma.

The office, set up yesterday at Manipur’s capital Imphal, was necessitated by the flourishing Indo-Burma trade in recent years and quick disposal of export and import proposals.

The new office would look after foreign trade, particularly with Burma and other South – East Asian countries, MK Mero, Deputy Director General of Foreign Trade, told Mizzima correspondent.

“During the last couple of years, border trade with Myanmar (Burma) has been increasing substantially and we are targeting more in the coming days “, he said.

Asked about the Manipur Government’s proposal for importing rice from Burma, he said it was under consideration. ” I have been pursuing the matter keeping in view the growing demand of Burmese rice “, he added.

Despite threats from militants, border trade between India and Burma has been on gradual rise. However, the export growth is still poor as compared to import. According to official statistics, the export growth is only 7 per cent as against the increase in the import at 32 per cent.