Myanmar President Visits Key Indian Port in Mumbai

To bolster trade relations with India, Myanmar is upgrading its major maritime ports to enhance cargo capacity and streamline cross-border shipping logistics.

The high-level Myanmar delegation led by President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar U Min Aung Hlaing, currently in New Delhi, India, on an official visit, left the Palam Airbase of New Delhi for Mumbai by special aircraft yesterday morning.

The President-led Myanmar delegation was seen off at the airport by Minister of State for External Affairs Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, officials of the Indian government, and families of the embassy and the military attaché office.

Arriving at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai in the afternoon, the President and party were welcomed by Governor of Maharashtra State, Shri Jishnu Dev Verma, and officials of the state government, the Myanmar Consul-General in Kolkata and staff families.

The President and delegation members visited the Jawaharlal Nehru Port, where the Trust Authority of the port Chairperson, Shri Gaurav Dayal IAS, welcomed them.

At the meeting hall, officials extended greetings that the Port Trust Authority warmly welcomed the high-level Myanmar delegation led by President U Min Aung Hlaing. They also explained the facts about the port, use of high technology machinery at the port, operations of maritime trade and measures of the port as an economic partnership of Myanmar, generating revenue from use of the port for the nation, efforts to enhance capacity of the port, development of infrastructure and operating digital system, functioning the port as a green port, giving PPP model service, and conducting training to share port functions.

Officials made clarification with a video clip on functions of the port and a project documentary video clip on preparations to build the Vadhavan Port.

In response, the President said that as Myanmar is also working on port construction, they visited this port, an international-standard major facility. Based on the clarification, it is a world-class port ranked 23rd globally and the number one port in India, and it operates under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) system. Myanmar has Yangon Port and Thilawa Port as two major ports, and Thilawa Port is a port connected to a Special Economic Zone.
They stated that their visit to the port was for the purpose of observing it in order to upgrade state-owned ports in Myanmar. Relevant officials would continue discussions on areas where cooperation between the two countries could be carried out. Based on the clarifications, the port has high operational capacity with the implementation of green areas and green energy initiatives. His visit aimed to promote bilateral trade, and Myanmar’s ports will be upgraded to further enhance trade relations between the two countries.

He continued that if training courses on port management and related fields are offered, Myanmar would send trainees to participate.

The President and party visited the Jawaharlal Nehru Port. The President asked officials about things he wanted to know.

Jawaharlal Nehru Port is located in the Nhava Sheva area, east of Mumbai, in Maharashtra State, India. It ranks 23rd globally in terms of trade capacity and is the largest among India’s 12 major ports. The port handles 50 per cent of India’s container traffic and plays a key role in the country’s trade sector, with strong connectivity to South-East Asia. — MNA/TTA