FFFAI and MIFFA sign MoU in Mumbai to facilitate bilateral trade

On March 29, 2023, the Federation of Freight Forwarders’ Associations in India (FFFAI) welcomed the Myanmar International Freight Forwarders Association (MIFFA) to the FFFAI HQ in Mumbai, and later both associations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The MOU was signed by FFFAI Chairman Mr. Shankar Shinde and MIFFA Chairman Dr. Aye Aye, signed in the presence of other officers/members of the FFFAI and MIFFA Executive Committees. The main objective of the MoU is to facilitate bilateral trade between India and Myanmar.

According to the MoU, both associations will record and form the basis of understanding between the parties in order to strengthen, promote and develop cooperation between the two associations for the benefit of members and trade.

Key areas of activity would include: trade support/networking; technology exchange; participation and empowerment of women; youth promotion; member support; competence development/training; Business opportunities and infrastructure development towards better connectivity opportunities for members in all other areas of collaboration.

“By signing this MoU, we have agreed that both Associations will work together in a spirit of mutual cooperation and endeavor to provide best-effort mutual assistance to each other on matters contemplated in this MoU. By doing so, we will support the mission and goals of each of the associations in order to achieve the beneficial goals we have agreed upon for our members,” informed Mr. Shinde.

MIFFA delegates who visited the FFFAI office were Ms. Hla Hla Yee (Secretary General); Mrs. Ohn Mar Maw (Joint Secretary); Mr. Pyei Phyo Aung (Auditor); Ms. Yin Yin Htay (Member of the Executive Committee); Ms. Moh Moh (Member); Mr Tun Tun Linn (Member); Ms. Phyo Thanda (Member); Mr. Kyaw Thet Linn (Member) and Ms. Kyipyar Min Tun (Member).

MIFFAI invited FFFAI to visit Myanmar. The MIFFA delegates also had good interactions with the FFFAI women’s wing. Led by Ms. Chaitaly Mehta (Convenor) and Ms. Philomena V. Pereira (Mentor), the FFFAI Women’s Wing is planning shortly to send an Indian delegation to Myanmar to explore future opportunities and business networks.

It is important to mention that Myanmar has been one of the largest exporters of legumes and beans to India while India mainly exports pharmaceutical products to Myanmar. Myanmar is strategically located for India as the country shares over 1643 km of land border with Myanmar as well as a maritime border in the Bay of Bengal. Four northeastern states of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram share a border with Myanmar.

Currently, the Indian government is focused on enhancing India’s cooperation with Myanmar in line with its Act East and Neighborhood First policies. It is also important to mention that India shares religious, linguistic and ethnic ties with Myanmar, which is the only ASEAN country bordering India and therefore represents a gateway to Southeast Asia.

To solve the logistical infrastructure and connectivity problems, India is currently building a US$484 million multimodal transit transport project Kaladan, which will connect the Indian port of Kolkata with the port of Sittwe in Myanmar. In addition, multimodal corridors will also be created to promote regional connectivity and development. These projects would further strengthen bilateral trade between India and Myanmar. Logistics service providers, on the other hand, are concentrating on building infrastructure in this region, as there is an enormous need for suitable storage, refrigeration and other logistics facilities.