More than 77% of Manipur’s geographical area falls under forest cover. Major forest products of the state include timber, firewood, and bamboo.
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 3,268 square kms. of area covered by bamboo forests, Manipur is one of India’s largest bamboo producing states and a major contributor to the country’s bamboo industry.
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 a 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. 451 billion (US$ 5.49 billion) in 2023-24. The state’s GSDP expanded at a CAGR of 11.03% between 2015-16 and 2023-24.
Total exports from Manipur stood at US$ 0.93 million in FY22 and US$ 0.3 million in FY23 (till August 2022). In FY22, cotton fabrics accounted for a majority (44.18%) of the merchandise exports from the state.
In 2021-22, the tertiary sector contributed 65.87% to the state’s GSVA at current prices, followed by the primary sector with a contribution of 27.43%.
As of May 2023, Manipur had a total installed power generation capacity of 238.38 MW. Out of the total installed power-generation capacity, 87.24 MW was contributed by hydropower, 133.26 MW by thermal power and 105.12 MW by renewable power.
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 kms, run through the state. 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) and is scheduled for completion in March 2022.
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 June 2023, 47 stretches with a length of 996.39 km at total project cost of Rs. 15,544.55 crore (US$ 1.89 billion) are sanctioned. Till June 2023, about 133.63 km at is completed and the balance 862.76 km is under construction.
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 kms 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 other states* (this includes Manipur) totalled US$ 28.27 million between October 2019-June 2022.
Note: * - Combined figures for Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Sikkim, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep