Rakhine commerce minister sees bright future for black bean exports
The Rakhine State commerce minister is hoping around 10,000 tonnes of black gram beans will be exported to India from Sittwe this year, pending completion of the Kaladan Multi-Model Transit Transport Project. The Kaladan project will connect Mizoram in India to Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine State, via the Kaladan River. The project was originally due for completion in 2014, but has been delayed. It has three components – upgrading Sittwe Port, developing the river for inland navigation, and expanding the road network. The Myanmar Port Authority said in November that the work on Sittwe seaport was almost complete, according to local media. U Kyaw Aye Thein, Rakhine State Finance, Revenue, Planning and Commerce Minister, expects the upgraded port to be transferred to the government in March. “Black gram will be exported through the port after it’s finished,” he said. “There are plans to plant black gram in order to export around 10,000 tonnes [this year].”
