07. Nov 2006
Indian border state favours China trade
(PTI) The Chief Minister of the north-east Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, Gegong Apang, has expressed confidence about his state’s ability to compete in trade once its border with Tibet is reopened. Apang led a group of officials who visited Bumla, 40km from Tawang township near the India-Tibet border, to explore possibilities of reopening border trade through the pass, according to government sources. Apang said, "We need reopening of border trade, which will also enable us to earn revenue. Although they are well off in electronic goods, we could compete with them in terms items like horticultural produces, vegetables, herbs and medicinal and aromatic plants", the sources said. Apang recently also led a high level team from Delhi to Kibitho in Anjaw district to explore the potential of reopening border trade there. Arunachal shares a 1080km border with the PRC, 440km with Myanmar and 160km with Bhutan. The state has been demanding construction of border roads and reopening of border trades to boost its economy.