“Manipur is set to launch a Visa Facilitation Service Centre at the Citizen Facilitation Centre in Imphal on 5th August. This is a part of the state government’s effort in serving the countries as the ‘new engine of growth’ in the larger schemes of the Act East policy of the government of India,” said Manipur chief minister, N Biren Singh .
Sunzu Bachaspatimayum
For the first time in northeast India, a Visa Facilitation Centre is all set to open in Manipur to provide visa service for as many as 45 countries, including USA, China, Japan, South Korea and Europe.
“Manipur is set to launch a Visa Facilitation Service Centre at the Citizen Facilitation Centre in Imphal on 5th August.
This is a part of the state government’s effort in serving the countries as the ‘new engine of growth’ in the larger schemes of the Act East policy of the government of India,” said Manipur chief minister, N Biren Singh after a crucial meeting with a team of VFS Global Services, a private company that specialises in outsourcing and technology services for governments and diplomatic missions worldwide. It manages visa and passport issuance-related administrative and non-discretionary tasks for its client governments.
This is certainly a milestone of achievement for the BJP led N. Biren Singh government whose immediate fallout would mean travellers from the state who wishes to travel overseas can cut down huge travel and lodging expenses for a visa, travelling to cities like Kolkata and Delhi.
Moreover this development is perfectly in tune with the Act East Policy, where Manipur seeks to capitalize on being India’s gateway to South East Asian countries.
“After the opening of Passport Seva Kendra(PSK) in Imphal in 2015, the Visa service is definitely an icing on the cake,” said Manipur Chamber of Commerce & Industries, president, Radhesyam Oinam, who said this is probably the best news emitting out of Manipur and gives full credit to the state’s chief minister.
Oinam further said that a visa facilitation office in Imphal would put North East and Manipur in particular nearer to South East Asian countries. He said beside the obvious convenience of obtaining visa without travelling outside the state, the visa service would act as a pull factor for travellers for the region as well as those from abroad to come to the state for their visa formalities, thereby promoting tourism in the State.
“Once the Visa office starts functioning, the state government would be pursuing with the external affairs ministry to take up ‘Visa on arrival’ options, especially for neighbouring South Asian countries like Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam etc.,” confided the chief minister. He also added that the state already has an Integrated Check Post at Moreh to enhance the international trade and commerce with Myanmar and facilitate greater contact between the people of the two countries.
