Following India’s Restricted Pulse Import Policy, a co-ordination meeting on plans for Myanmar’s pulses exports in respective sectors was held at the Ministry of Commerce in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morning. India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry recently issued an import policy change to import only 200,000 tons of toor whole on 5 August, and 300,000 tons of mung bean and green gram on 21 August.
The Union Minister met with the Indian Ambassador to Myanmar in Nay Pyi Taw and sent a message via diplomatic means over India’s restricted pulse import policy.
“Ways are to be found for market stability of pulses that remain to be exported due to India’s restricted pulse import policy. And for pea-growers, so as not to suffer losses for the pulses that will be harvested very soon, arrangements are to be made under the law on the protection of farmers’ rights and the upgrade of their benefits.
During the official visit of the Indian Prime Minister to Myanmar, arrangements had been made to discuss the matter of reducing its import policy. Presently, nearly 100,000 tons of toor whole and 300,000 tons of mung beans are still left to be exported. Besides, the case of toor whole to be produced in mid-November and December as well must be taken into consideration”, Dr Than Myint, Union Minister for Commerce, said at yesterday’s meeting.
The Union Minister added, “The committee for finding solutions through negotiation consisting of respective ministries and entrepreneurs from private sector will be founded to discuss with the Indian Government for reducing the restricted policy.
The committee will negotiate to export Myanmar’s pulses to India and further negotiations will be made to sign an MoU on pulse trade with India, through government to government. Growing other pulses which are favourable in global markets in substitution for mung beans to be grown very soon must be taken into consideration, including pedigree seeds and techniques.”
At the meeting, Dr. Aung Thu, Union Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation said a meeting between the State Counsellor and the Prime Minister of India has been scheduled.
“It has been learnt that State Counsellor will discuss with the Indian Prime Minister during his official visit to Myanmar very soon to reduce the impact of India’s restricted pulse import policy to some extent.
The present problem was attributed to the dependency on one market only. In producing agricultural produce and products from livestock breeding, it is necessary to acquire markets. So, we must make efforts to gain markets.
It will be implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Commerce, UMFCCI and farmers”, Dr. Aung Thu said.
Present at the meeting were responsible officials from respective ministries, merchants and industrial entrepreneurs, representatives from MPBSSMA and brokerage centers, professionals and farmers, discussed respectively. At the meeting, 10 matters to be carried out in the future on Myanmar’s pulses in various sectors in regard to India’s restricted pulse import policy were discussed, it was learnt.
Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar
