Manipur is one of India’s largest bamboo producing states and a major contributor to the country’s bamboo industry as it grows 55 species of bamboo and 25% of the total growing stock of bamboo in the North Eastern Region and 14% of the entire country.
Manipur is situated in the eastern-most corner of Northeast India. The state shares borders with other northeast states like Nagaland, Mizoram and Assam, as well as with the neighbouring country of Myanmar. Due to its wealth of flora and fauna, Manipur is described as a ‘flower on lofty heights’, ‘a jewel of India’ and the ‘Switzerland of the East’. Its breathtaking scenic beauty makes it a tourist’s paradise.
Manipur has the advantage of acting as India's 'Gateway to the East' through Moreh town, which is the only feasible land route for trade between India and Myanmar, as well as other Southeast Asian countries. With about 8,377 square km of area covered by bamboo forests, Manipur is one of India’s.
Manipur has the highest number of handicraft units and the highest number of craft persons (skilled and semi-skilled artisans) in the entire Northeast region.
Handlooms is the largest cottage industry in Manipur and the state ranks among the top five in terms of the number of looms in the country.
In November 2021, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and Textiles, Mr. Piyush Goyal, announced that an Rs. 30 crore (US$ 3,91 million) mega handloom cluster will be set up in the Imphal East district.
At current prices, Manipur’s GSDP is likely to reach Rs. 49,937 crore (US$ 6.00 billion) (budget estimate) in 2024-25. The state’s GSDP is expected to expand at a CAGR of 10.99% between 2015-16 and 2024-25.
Total exports from Manipur stood at US$ 0.92 million in FY25 (Until August). Products of Engineering Goods, Plastic sheets, Drugs, Readymade garments etc., were the other key products that had a significant share in Manipur’s exports.
In 2021-22, the tertiary sector contributed 64.77% to the state’s GSVA at current prices, followed by the primary sector with a contribution of 26.76%.
As of August 2024, Manipur had a total installed power generation capacity of 270.41 MW. Of the total installed power-generation capacity, 87.24 MW was contributed by hydropower, 164.68 MW by thermal power and 105.73 MW by renewable power as of August 2024.
With regards to infrastructure, Imphal, Manipur’s capital city, has one airport and Air India provides air cargo services. Eleven national highways, with a total length of 1,750 km, run through the state. In FY24 (until September), Imphal Airport handled 1,004 metric tonnes of freight.
Indian Railways is constructing the world's highest pier bridge across the river Ijai in Manipur. The construction of the Manipur Pier Bridge is worth Rs. 2.8 billion (US$ 38 million). The project achieved a progress of 93.30% in April 2023.
In May 2023, the Jiribam-Imphal new line railway project was completed in Manipur.
Manipur was added to India's railway map when the first passenger train arrived in the state and completed a successful trial run in July 2021.
Under the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL), as of October 2023, 43 projects with a length of 917 km at a total project cost of Rs. 14,259 crore (US$ 1.71 billion) are ongoing.
Till October 2023, about 80 km are completed with a length of 80 km at a total project cost of Rs. 1,286 crore (US$ 154.41 million).
Mr. Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways, launched and laid the foundation stones for 15 national highway projects in Manipur in August 2021. The new projects cover a total distance of 298 km and are expected to cost Rs. 4,148 crore (US$ 563.47 million*).
According to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), FDI inflows to Manipur totalled US$ 0.0006 million between October 2019-June 2024.
Note: * - Combined figures for Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Sikkim, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep