Union Minister for Ports Sarbananda Sonowal and Myanmar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister for Transport & Communications Admiral Tin Aung San launched the operations of the port. During this event they received the first Indian Cargo ship which was flagged off from Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata.
According to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, the operationalisation of Sittwe Port would enhance bilateral and regional trade as well as contribute to the local economy of Rakhine State of Myanmar.
The greater connectivity provided by the port will lead to employment opportunities and enhanced growth prospects in the region.
In his remarks at the inauguration ceremony, Sonowal 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.
This project was conceptualized to provide alternative connectivity of Mizoram with Haldia / Kolkata / any Indian ports through the Kaladan River in Myanmar.
The project envisages highway/road transport from Mizoram to Paletwa (Myanmar), thereafter from Paletwa to Sittwe (Myanmar) by Inland Water Transport (IWT) and from Sittwe to any port in India by maritime shipping.
Sittwe Port has been developed as a part of the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP) funded under grant-in-aid assistance from India.
Once fully operationalized the waterway and road components of KMTTP will link the East coast of India to the North-eastern states through the Sittwe port.