INDIAN STATE : MANIPUR

General Information

Manipur is located in the extreme northeastern corner of India between 23.80°N to 25.68°N latitude and 93.03°E to 94.78°E longitude, and literally meaning "A Jeweled land", it occupies a total area of 22,327 sq. km. Of its total area, about ninetenths (20,089 sq. km.) constitute the hills which surround the remaining one-tenth (2238 sq. km.), the central valley of alluvial filling. It is bounded by Nagaland on the north, Assam on the west and Mizoram on the south. Along the east it shares a 398 km. long international boundary with Myanmar.The altitude varies from 40 m above Mean sea level (MSL) (Jiribam) to 2593 m above MSL (Tamenglong). Imphal, the centrally located State Capital, has an elevation of 790 m above MSL.

Fact File

* Excludes Mao-Maran, Paomata,Purul sub divisions of Senapati districts of Manipur.

Source: CSO Estimates.
Nagaland Industrial Development Corp Ltd ,
Director of Industries & Commerce, Govt of Nagaland.

Climate

Manipur is blessed with a salubrious climate the year round. It has two main seasons separated by two transitions:

• Winter (December to February)
  
• Pre-Monsoon (March and April)
  
• Monsoon (May to September)
  
• Post-Monsoon (October and November)

The southwest monsoon chiefly determines the weather and rainfall throughout the state. The state has tropical to temperate climate depending upon elevation. Rainfall varies from 1000 mms to 3500 mms and average rainfall is 2000 mms. Temperature ranges from sub-zero to 36 degree Celsius.

Advantage Manipur

• Excellent air connectivity including cargo services.
  
• Trade with Myanmar and other South East Asian countries
  
• High value exotic fruits and flowers grow in large quantity.
  
• Rare medicinal and aromatic plants also available.
  
• Food Park at Imphal with Infrastructure for 40-50 units.
  
• IT Park at Imphal with 45,000 sq ft space.
  
• Tourism opportunities.
  
• Opportunities for contracts in roads and power sectors.
  
• Law and Order situation Improving.

Economic infrastructure

Air Connectivity

Imphal Airport is the second largest airport in the North East (NE)- Region with postal air cargo services six days a week. Imphal is well connected with daily flights to Guwahati, Kolkata, Bangalore and Delhi and other destinations in and outside NE Region. Indigo, Indian Airlines, Deccan, Jetlite offers frequent flights ranging from 4 to 6 days a week.

Railway Connectivity

Manipur is on the threshold of India's rail map. NH-39 links Imphal with railhead at Dimapur in Nagaland, 215 km. to the north. NH-53 links Imphal with railhead at Jiribam, 225 km. in the South-West. With the coming of Jiribam to Tupul railway line, Imphal will be much more closer to the rest of India.

Roads

Three national highways, viz., NH-39, NH-53 and NH-150 criss-cross the state connecting all districts.

The Saurashtra-Silchar Super Highway project is being extended at Moreh. With the proposed Moreh to Mae Sot (Thailand) highway coming up, Manipur will become the gateway to South-East Asia.

Power

Manipur gets its share of power from the Central Sector Power Plants located in the North Eastern Region. The share of power for Manipur from the Central sector power plants including the shares from the unallocated share of power of the Central Projects is 141.15 MW when the plants are operated at their full capacity. The present requirement of the State is 120 MW during peak hours, whereas the availability of power from the Central Sector Power plants is 70 MW and State's own generation is 13 MW. The State Government's Heavy Fuel Based Power Project (6x6 MW) at Leimakhong is now poised for commercial operation.

Manipur has substantial hydro power potential of more than 1800 MW, which is sufficient not only to meet the local requirement for domestic and industrial uses but leave surplus for marketing outside. The State Power Department has so far identified about a dozen hydro power potential sites in the State and they are at different stages of implementation.

Telecom Spread

• The state has 55 digital exchanges.
  
• Jiribam connected by OFC (Optical Fibre Cable) through Silchar.
  
• Most districts connected by OFC (Optical Fibre Cable) link.
  
• Earth Station for satellite communication is installed and started functioning at Lamphel Satellite Station, Imphal.
  
• DIAS (Direct Internet Access Service) and Broadband "Dataone" now operational.
• Broadband facility "Dataone" is now available in all the District HQs and Sub HQs. EVDO (Evolution Data Optimisation) is also available in all the Districts
  
• WLL (Wireless in local loop) is installed & started functioning with 14168 connections.
  
• IMPCS (Mobile telephone) now operational along with 51 BTS installed in all the parts of Manipur. Five other private operators providing Mobile Communication facility apart from BSNL's Cellone.
  
• A Software Technology Park is operational.
  
• Dedicated leased line MLLN (Managed Leased Line Network) is operational.
  

Social Infrastructure

Health

The state has altogether 539 primary health care institutions, 13 hospitals including one state level hospital (J.N Hospital) as referral centre and 7 district hospitals. Other 9 Drug de-addiction centres, TB centers at 6 districts, 4 Leprosy Control Unit and 6 STD Clinics are functioning in the state.

Human Resources

A large reservoir of human resources is available at highly competitive cost. Strength lies in engineering, computers, medicine, agricultural and other professions.

Investment Opportunities

Bamboo Resources

Sharing 25% of the total growing stock of bamboo of the North East, or 14% of that of the whole country, Manipur is abundant in bamboo resources which can be harvested economically to set up various processing units to bring about industrial and economic progress and generate large-scale employment in the State.

The total bamboo growing area within and around jiribam covering bamboo abundant areas in Tamenglong District and Tipaimukh area of Churachandpur District is 2968.78 sq. km. which is about 80% of the total growing area in the State. The resources can be most conveniently transported to jiribam through the jiri and the Barak water routes. Because of this advantage, bamboo trade has been flourishing at jiribam since long. Rail heal has also already reached jiribam. The pre-existing arrangements for uninterrupted power supply and readily available work force in the area are added advantages. For these and many other favourable factors,jiribam stands out as a most potential area for development of bamboo processing industry.

A land of about 15 acres is already available at Kadamtala Village, jiribam where a Bamboo Chipping Plant was running earlier. The land belongs to the Department of Commerce & Industries, Manipur. Abundant and contiguous land which can be procured/acquired without difficulties in accordance with the requirement of the industry. The site is only about 1 km. away from the jiribam railhead. It is, therefore, justifiably envisaged to set up a Bamboo Technology Park on this land.

The National Mission on Bamboo applications has agreed to be involved in the preparation of suitable project reports as well as in the establishment of the Park. It has been considered to implement the project as a Public-Private Partnership venture under Special Purpose Vehicle model.

The products range among others includes

1. Bamboo Mat Ply
2. Bamboo Ply Board
3. Medium Density Fiber (MDF) Board
4. Particle Board
5. Chip Board
6. Bamboo Floor Tiles/Board
7. Bamboo Furniture

Agriculture

The existing area under cultivation of different crops in Manipur is 2,85,000 hectares as against the available potential area of 3,25,500 hectares. Rice, wheat, maize, oil seeds, potato and sugar cane etc. are the main cash crops in the State. Among these crops, cultivation of the paddy is the largest, both in the plains and hills, and covers 82% of the total cultivated area. Besides the numerous varieties of local rice which are all unique in taste, there are two types which are specific to the State with distinctive scent and flavour and are preferred for Chak-hao pudding preparation Chak-hao Poireiton (dark violet) and Chak-hao (white).

Medicinal Plants and Aromatic Plants

There is resurgence of use of traditional medicine across the globe. Among traditional medicines, Indian Systems of medicine, particularly Ayurveda and Unani are the most developed having scientific basis and there is growing acceptance of Ayurveda and Unani medicines for important and chronic diseases. The traditional medicines are heavily dependent on medicinal plants and their accelerated growth is pushing the demand of medicinal plants strongly. Moreover, higher rate of growth in demand is likely to continue in future also.

Over a period of time, massive AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy) infrastructure has been created in the country and every year more than 27000 new practitioners are added and thus demand of medicinal plants for Ayurveda and Unani medicine. Further, the export of these medicines has registered significant growth particularly in recent years.

All major forest types found in India are also available in Manipur. These forests are home of very wide range of flora and fauna. These forests are repository of large number of medicinal plants. Many medicinal plants are also collected from the vegetation found, in Loktak lake and agricultural field. Further, Manipur has the maximum area of Indo-Burma hotspot, of Biodiversity in India, which has maximum endemic species as compared to other two hotspots of biodiversity. More than 1200 medicinal plants (out of total 6000 in India), including 430 species with local traditional medicinal uses have been listed in Manipur. The State has all medicinal plants, which are used in large quantity in Ayurveda and Unani industries. Thus, most of the important medicinal plants are available or can be cultivated in the forests of Manipur. Further, there are many scientific organizations e.g. Institute of Bioresources & sustainable Development (DBT), Imphal; North-East Institute of Science and Technology, (formerly Regional Research Laboratory: Jorhat, a unit of CSIR), Substation Imphal; Central Agricultural University, Imphal etc. capable of contributing in the research and technical works of medicinal plants. Moreover, there exists strong traditional medicinal knowledge, based on medicinal plants, which may provide excellent opportunity for bio-prospecting.

Handicrafts

Handicrafts of Manipur have a unique place among the various crafts of the country due to having its own aesthetic and artistic value. Although handicrafts industry started originally as traditional part time activities in rural areas without any significant market demand over the years, it has been transformed into a flourishing industry. Current trends of handicrafts product is not only restricted to aesthetic or artistic value but incorporation of design and new ideas make these products into daily utility items broadening the marketability as well as scope of handicrafts products.

Artisans

Manipur has the highest handicrafts units as well as highest number of craftsperson comprising of skilled and semi-skilled artisan in the entire north eastern region. The existing resource pool in terms of skilled and semi-skilled craftsperson provide enough scope for further expansion and investment primarily into product innovator& designing, value addition, and production technique.

Major Crafts having potential for investment:

Cane and Bamboo Crafts

Among the crafts, cane and bamboo craft is most widespread throughout the State because of availability of abundant raw materials and demands from both domestic as well as International buyers. Bamboo production of Manicure is above 1 million ton per annum. There are a number of trained entrepreneurs and artisans in the trade. The number of artisans engaged in cane and bamboo craft is around 1.50 lakh. In view of these potentials, there is ample scope for investment to set up more cane and bamboo enterprises in the State.

Kauna Crafts

Kauna (Scripus lecustris) craft has the potential for large scale plantation, production and marketing. Kauna products have both domestic and export market demands. Cities like New Delhi and Mumbai and foreign countries, like, UK, Netherlands, Germany, France, UAE and Switzerland are major buyers. There are also demands from the Latin American Countries. The surging demands surpass the current production of kauna in the State. There is thus a huge scope for investment for kauna plantation, production and marketing in the State.

Kauna being environmental friendly and of very short Iifecycle for plantation, represent an alternative source for all the handicrafts utility as well as artistic products. Incorporation of latest trends in ideas and fashion statement and designing and production techniques make these, all the more alluring for future expansion and major investment.

Pottery

Potteries of Manipur acclaimed unique distinction as they are produced by coiled technique. They are concentrated in valleys and hills alike. However to name a few major production centres are concentrated at Nungbi, Andro, Chairen, Thongjao, Nongpok Sekmai and Oinam. Most of potteries are different in type and style as they have different socio-cultural significance.

Handlooms

Handloom sector remains an important source of income especially for womenfolk of the state. It provides maximum number of employment after agriculture. The traditional skill of handloom weaving is not only a status symbol for the womenfolk but also an indispensable aspect of the Socio-economic life. There is a saying that every woman of Manipur is a born weaver. There are more than 33 different communities/tribes in the State having their respective exquisite designs/ pattern of traditional and indigenous handloom fabric.

The main handloom products of Manipur are sarees, bed sheets, curtains, towels, table cloths, fashion garments with intricate designs, cushion covers, scarves, pillow covers, upholstery, draperies, chaddars, acrylic/wool shawls and lungies etc. These products have demands inside and outside the state.

Horticulture

Gifted with suitable agro-climatic conditions, Manipur is home to various food and cash crops, fruits and vegetables. The soil is fertile and suited more particularly in the hills for growing of different fruits and vegetables. Organic farming is the most sought-after practice in the hill areas.

Pineapple, passion fruit and mushroom naturally grow. They are also commercially cultivated. Bamboo shoot and ginger are available in plenty.

Manipur has vast potentials for commercial plantation of fruits like lemon, lime, orange, pineapple, banana, passion fruit, amla, olive, figs, mandarin etc.). The quality of pineapple (both Queen and Kew varieties) is distinct with unique taste and flavour. So far, identified potential area for cultivation is estimated at 2,77,064 Hectares. Out of this, about 45,919 Hectares is covered under different crops.

Schemes like Technology mission for integrated development of Horticulture with the objective of improving production and productivity of horticultural crops by harnessing the potential of the region makes this field a viable option for commercialization as well as marketing.

Some Investment Opportunities on Agro-Food Processing Industries:

Name of the Project:

1. Tetra Pack Packaging Unit at Food Park, Nilakuthi.
2. Agri-export Zone for Passion Fruit in Manipur
3. Fruits Juice Concentration Plant
4. Processing of Bamboo Shoot Plant
5. Production of Oleoresins and Spice Oil Plant
6. Integrated Mushroom Production & Processing Plant

Organic Farming

The consumption of chemical fertilizer in agri - horticulture farming, in the State is low, particularly in the hills. Fertilizers used are nitrogenous, phosphatic and potassic. Only urea, DAP and MOP are used in the hill areas.

Agri-horticultural development in the hill areas of Manipur is thus practically based on organic farming. It is in the hill areas that fruit growing is concentrated.

Sericulture

Manipur has excellent agro-climatic conditions for rearing high yielding bivoltine mulberry silkworm races which produce quality silk yarn of international grade. All the four types of silk namely mulberry, Eri, Muga and Oak Tasar are produced in Manipur.

Tourism

The wondrously little Shangrila and "a jeweled land", Manipur is a veritable paradise on earth where mother nature has been extra generous in her bounty. Untouched and undiscovered Manipur promises to be the great tourist discovery of the 21st century. With an oval shaped valley surrounded by blue green hills, rich in art and tradition it has inspired description such as the "Switzerland of the East" with its cascading rapids, tripping rivers, carpets of flowers, exotic blooms and lazy lakes.

The people and the tribes of Manipur include Meiteis, Nagas and Kuki-Chin-Mizo groups and other colourful communities which have lived in complete harmony for centuries. These are the people whose folklore, myths and legends, dances, games and martial arts, exotic handlooms and handicrafts are invested with the mystique of nature and an indefatigable "joie de vivre".

Flora & Fauna

Blessed with an amazing varieties of flora and fauna, the hills covered by forests constituting 67% of the geographical area of Manipur, hold the tourist spell bound. Coveted the world over, some of the most beautiful and precious blooms and orchids are abound in their natural habitat spreading their beauty and colour, stunning the eye that is not used to seeing them in such profusion.

The Hoolock Gibbon, Slow Loris, Clouded Leopard, Spotted Linshang, Mrs. Hume's Barbacked Pheasant, Blyths Tragopan, Burmese Pea-Fowl, four different species of Hornbills, etc. form only a part of the rich natural heritage of Manipur. Nong-in is the State bird of Manipur. The most unique animal is Sangai - the brow antlered and dancing deer of Manipur. The floating mass of vegetation on the Loktak Lake sustains small herds of this endemic and threatened cervid in the world.

Health Care Tourism

Health Care Tourism or Medical Tourism is one of the potential area for promoting Health care services with tourism avenues. Presently cross-border travel for health reasons is a growing market and throws up huge opportunities for investment. Health care tourism offers cost effective medical services for individuals who cannot afford these services in their country due to high costs or to people who are tired by long waiting times. Also patients from countries, where treatment is not available, can avail the benefits of healthcare tourism.

Manipur: Destination for Medical Tourism

• Imphal attracts a number of patients from neighboring states and border towns in Myanmar.
• Large pool of doctors, nurses & Paramedics which are highly skilled and English speaking
• State-of-the-art medical establishments coming up
• Cost Advantage vis a' vis other western countries
• Lower medication cost
• Excellent climate

Information Technology

Recognising the vast potential of IT industry in the state, the Government of Manipur accords high priority to the Information Technology sector as a major thrust area of development. An Information Technology Policy is already in place and the same is under revision to make it more relevant to the present day requirements.

Availability of ever growing and vibrant skilled manpower suitable for the IT Industry,a proactive Government which has defined IT as a Priority Sector and opportunities for taking up projects in neighbouring Myanmar, given the good relationship that India has with the Myanmar Government are some of the unique advantages with which, Manipur is blessed with.

The state invites investments from successful IT organisations for the following projects independently or in PPP model:

• Development and Management of IT Park/IT SEZ at Imphal
  
• Setting up of IT /ITES Centres at Imphal
  
• Setting up of IT Investment Region in Manipur under DIT, Govt. of India's Scheme
  
• Setting up of a Indian Institute of Information Technology in PPP model as per pattern of
• Ministry of Human Resource Development.
  

The Government of Manipur is committed to making the IT Industry a success story;strategically placed in context to the Look East Policy that the Govt. of India has adopted. No efforts will be spared towards assisting the IT organizations that will partner the State of Manipur to an IT Success Story.

Policy Framework

New industrial Policy 2002

To facilitate rapid and substantial industrial development in the state through enhanced investment, an investor-friendly environment, provision for infrastructure and institutional support, attractive incentive package and optimum utilisation of existing resources in order to gainfully exploit emerging opportunities in the National and International markets and generate substantial income and employment avenues for the people of Manipur. This will be done by providing industry access to high quality infrastructure, extending institutional support for technology upgradation, deregulating the business environment for an efficient, proactive and transparent administrative frame-work and catalyzing the entrepreneurial as well as creative capabilities of the human resources.

Goals of the policy

• Create necessary conditions for maximum possible utilisation by tapping locally available raw material and human resources for industrialisation.
  
• Create gainful employment opportunities for local population.
  
• Develop industrial infrastructure in selected areas by providing common facilities in a compact area for specialised categories of industrial units. Provide other critical infrastructure such as power, water, communication, etc.
  
• Promote export-oriented industries with a view to exploit the emerging market opportunities in the neighbouring countries.
  
• Develop marketing facilities for industrial products.
  
• Encourage large and medium industries in public, private, joint and assisted sectors to create an industrial base making use of the available resource base of the State in selective categories compatible with local environment and ecology.
  
• Develop village and small-scale service and Business Enterprises (SSSBE) to provide self-employment to educated youths.
  
• Develop and promote Tourism industry in the State.
  
• Revive and rehabilitate sick industrial units in the State.
  
• Develop Food processing industry by facilitating forward and backward linkages.
  
• Expedite formalization and development of cross border trade with Myanmar.
  
• Provide investor-friendly environment by removing procedural bottlenecks and legal hurdles.
  
• Provide industry access to high quality infrastructure.
  
• Enhance value addition in products and processes through rapid technology upgradation.
  
• Encouraging quality control, standardization and competitiveness of the local products.
  
• Ensuring minimization of pollution and encouraging eco-friendly units.
  
• Encouraging industry based on medicinal plants and encouraging Research and development in the field.

Full text of the policy

Information Technology Policy

Information Technology (IT) offers a new opportunity for economic growth, employment and knowledge-based development for Manipur. Information Technology can overcome geographic disadvantages provided reliable and necessary telecommunication infrastructure along with power supply is in place. The state government recognizes that IT has the potential for bringing about significant progress in the socio-economic development of Manipur, for which the state government has to evolve a dynamic and coordinated IT policy.

Objectives of the policy

The objectives of the policy are as follows:

• Set up the Institutional Framework to implement and monitor the IT Policy
  
• Use E-Governance to upgrade the standard and quality of administration, and to provide citizen oriented, efficient and cost-effective government.
  
• Promote investments and growth in IT industry, and encourage private sector initiative in IT related infrastructure and services, so as to increase the contribution of IT in the economic growth of the State.
  
• Provide adequate infrastructure in the State so that the IT sector can flourish.
  
• Encourage percolation of IT literacy and education in the State.
  
• Generate IT related employment opportunities for the educated youth.
  
• Use the power of IT to enhance earning capacity of the citizens for a better quality of life.

Full text of the policy

Entry Formalities

Restricted Area Permits

Restrictions are in place for entry of Foreign Tourists to visit some places in these states: Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Sikkim.

Restricted Area Permits for Foreign Tourists can be obtained from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Foreigners' Regional Registration Offices and Immigration Offices at Airports at New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chief Immigration Officer, Chennai apart from All Indian Missions overseas, I.G. Police or Home Commissioners of all the above-mentioned states. In case of Nagaland, the same can also be obtained from the Office of the Resident Commissioner at New Delhi.

Foreign Tourists will be allowed to visit the above places for a maximum period of 10 days and in groups of 4 or more persons. However, married couples can be allowed. For Sikkim, an individual tourist can obtain the permit from the state's Tourist Offices located at New Delhi, Kolkata and Siliguri for 15 days, extendable by another 15 days.

Inner Line Permits

Inner Line Permits for Indian Tourists can be obtained from Resident Commissioners and Representatives of the above states at New Delhi. Kolkata, Mumbai and Chief Immigration Officer, Chennai and at Border Crossings. For Mizoram, the permit can be had from the Office of the Resident Commissioner at New Delhi and Liaison Officers based at Kolkata, Guwahati, Shillong and Silchar.

Useful Web Links

Government of Manipur

Government Department Web Directory