Kohima, Jan. 3: From slippers to soaps and tubelights, goods made in Myanmar are flooding the markets of Nagaland, pushing Indian products off the racks and reducing the government’s earnings from sales tax. The “Myanmarese invasion” began about three years ago, but what was initially a trickle of goods has now become a torrent. The first destination of the consignments, mostly originating from Yangon and Mandalay, is Moreh in Manipur.
Vans bring these goods from the border town to Dimapur via Kohima. The state capital does have its share of the “foreign business”, but Dimapur is where the action is. Today, the town has exclusive outlets for Myanmarese goods.
The popularity of Myanmar-made goods is just as intense in far-flung places such as Chuzoba. A businessman who identified himself as Kubad said good quality at low prices was the USP of Myanmarese products.
“A tubelight manufactured by an Indian company costs Rs 295, while its Myanmarese replica can be bought for Rs 60. Though there are no warranties for the foreign product, it does not make any difference to the customer. In any case, Indian and Myanmarese products have an almost equal lifespan,” he told The Telegraph.
There is another interesting angle to the business of selling goods manufactured in Myanmar. Such is the demand for these products that some have taken to manufacturing Indian replicas of Myanmarese products.
The state government is, however, unwilling to admit that it is losing revenue. “I don’t think smuggling has had a significant impact on the economy,” finance commissioner Lalthara said.
A border trade centre was to be set up at Longwa in Mon district, but all that it has is a shed with where cattle and stray dogs take shelter. Lalthara claimed that the poor condition of roads on either side of the border was the reason for the failure of the Longwa project.
Back in the hustle and bustle of Dimapur, traders disdainfully describe the project as another bad investment by the government. “Longwa? Who will go to Longwa to do business? It is not viable,” a businessman said.