India funds Sittwe Port as part of the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project
Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal and Myanmar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport & Communications Admiral Tin Aung San have jointly inaugurated the Sittwe Port in Rakhine State, by receiving the first Indian Cargo ship from Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata, on 9 May 2023.
The operationalisation of Sittwe Port would enhance bilateral and regional trade as well as contribute to the local economy of Rakhine State, Myanmar. The greater connectivity provided by the Port will lead to employment opportunities and enhanced growth prospects in the region.
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 Indian Government. 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.
In his remarks at the inauguration ceremony, Sonowal highlighted the close historical, cultural and economic ties between India and Myanmar, particularly the Rakhine State. He reiterated India’s longstanding commitment towards the development and prosperity of people of Myanmar through developmental initiatives such as the Sittwe Port.
The project was conceptualized to provide an alternative connectivity of Mizoram with Haldia / Kolkata / any Indian ports through 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. fiinews.com
