Informal trading in the Northeast region's border 'haats' (rural markets) between India and Myanmar is doing very well, reported Mr. Najib Shah, Chairman of India's Central Board of Excise and Customs. The Government of India is considering opening more border haats to promote trade ties with its neighbors.

Trade through border haats helps boost local trade and increase people-to-people contact. The first haat between India and Myanmar was set up at Pangsu Pass, adjacent to Sagaing Region (Myanmar) and Arunachal Pradesh (India). The memorandum of understanding to establish border haats along the Indo-Myanmar border was signed in May 2012 during the visit to Myanmar of former India Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Related Links:

• India may have more 'border haats' for deeper ties
• Centre mulls more ‘border haats’
• Centre approved Border Haat at Pangsau Pass
• Border Haats in NER
• Establishing Border Haats across the Border between India and Myanmar