Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal Inaugurates Sittwe Port in Myanmar, First Indian Cargo Ship Received, Promotes Trade Connectivity and Economic Development
50% reduction in cost & time of transportation of goods between Kolkata and Agartala and Aizwal with the development of Sittwe Port
The Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways and AYUSH, Sarbananda Sonowal, along with Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister for Transport & Communications Admiral Tin Aung San, of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, jointly inaugurated the Sittwe Port in Rakhine State, Myanmar on May 9, 2023. During the event, they received the first Indian Cargo ship, which was flagged off from Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port in Kolkata.
The operationalization of Sittwe Port is expected to reduce the cost and time of transportation of goods by 50% between Kolkata and Agartala and Aizwal. This development will promote trade connectivity and people-to-people ties between India, Myanmar, and the wider region, boosting economic development of the Northeastern states under the ‘Act East Policy’ of the Indian Government. The greater connectivity provided by the Port will also lead to employment opportunities and enhanced growth prospects in the region.
The project was conceptualized to provide an alternative connectivity of Mizoram with Haldia/Kolkata/any Indian ports through the Kaladan River in Myanmar. The project comprises of the following segments: Shipping from Haldia to Sittwe port in Myanmar (539 km), Inland Water Transport (IWT) from Sittwe to Paletwa (River Kaladan) (158 km), road transport from Paletwa to Indo-Myanmar Border (in Myanmar) (110 km), and road transport from Indo-Myanmar Border to NH.54 (in India) (100 km). 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 Government of India.
In his remarks at the inauguration ceremony, the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways highlighted the close historical, cultural, and economic ties between India and Myanmar, particularly the Rakhine State of Myanmar. He reiterated India’s longstanding commitment towards the development and prosperity of the people of Myanmar through developmental initiatives such as the Sittwe Port. Once fully operationalized, the waterway and road components of KMTTP will link the East coast of India to the Northeastern states through the Sittwe port, enhancing bilateral and regional trade and contributing to the local economy of Rakhine State in Myanmar.
