New Delhi, May 19 (KNN) India had opened 96.4% of tariff lines at zero duty for Myanmar under its Duty Free Tariff Preference scheme besides ASEAN India FTA, Commerce & Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said during India Myanmar Business Conclave.

The transition from barter trade to normal trade with effect from December 1, 2015 was a step forward to boost trade, she added.

An India Myanmar Business Conclave was hosted by India at Yangon on 18-20 May 2016 as part of its Act East policy.

Highlight of the event was a Government-Business Round table on the theme: ‘Forging Partnerships’. Speaking in the Roundtable, Sitharaman said a liberal access was available for Services including a visa fee waiver for Myanmar applicants applying for Indian Business and Employment visas. 

Sitharaman acknowledged Myanmar’s achievement in organic and sustainable agriculture. She offered that India can cooperate in boosting productivity by providing technology and agri equipment. She said that pharmaceutical sector is an area where India can engage actively specially for public heath care.

Commerce Minister also identified Textiles, IT, Automobile industry wherein India can engage for mutual benefit. She conveyed India’s commitment to contribute to Myanmar’s development including road and connectivity projects, border projects such as border haats and ICPs. Commerce and Industry Minister of India invited Myanmar to hold road shows in key cities of India exhibiting the opportunities available in Myanmar to connect to larger numbers of Indian businesses.

The two days conclave witnesses intensive sessions and B2B interactions in the sectors such as Agriculture, Manufacturing and Employment, IT, Health, Education, Skill Development, Power & Renewable energy, Connectivity (Air, Sea, Land), Tourism and Hospitality, SEZs, Industrial Zones and Finance. 

Myanmar requested for cooperation in skill development, capacity building and training for both public and private sector. India assured that it shall assist Myanmar in its endeavour to modernize and assist based on the priority areas where such cooperation is sought by Myanmar.