SEZ in Mizoram, first northeast India Special Economic Zone

Silchar, May 20: The Mizo National Front government is gearing up to establish the Northeast’s first special economic zone.

Government sources in Aizawl today said chief minister Zoramthanga had given the go ahead to his administration to build the necessary infrastructure to set up the SEZ at Khawnuam village in Champhai district on the Indo-Myanmar border.

The sources said a few days ago, Zoramthanga had urged the Shillong-headquartered North Eastern Council (NEC) to grant the first instalment of Rs 9.13 crore to help his government set up the SEZ.

According to the sources, the chief minister had made it clear to the authorities of NEC in Shillong and DoNER in New Delhi that the SEZ would go a long way in boosting employment and trade.

Zoramthanga had recently lamented that though the Mizos were educated and energetic, it was the lack of finance and proper opportunity which were inhibiting their prospects of growth.

The sources said the special economic zone at Khawnuam is close to Zokasawang, the border trade centre in Champhai district.

The detailed project report (DPR) for this project had been submitted to the NEC.

The SEZ is one of the many initiatives that the Mizoram government has planned before the state goes to the polls for the 40-member Assembly in November.

The industry department in Mizoram appears hopeful of wooing foreign direct investments (FDI) from Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand, Bangladesh, South Korea and Malaysia for industrial and commercial ventures on this special economic zone. Source: The Telegraph, Kolkata.

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