[Assam] Boost to NE-Thai trade cooperation (The Assam Tribune, 25.01.2008)

[Buljit Buragohain]

                Boost to NE-Thai trade cooperation
>From Our Spl Correspondent
 NEW DELHI, Jan 24 – Thai-North East Trade Cooperation appears to be on an upswing, with at least 42 investment and trade proposals in the pipeline. According to official sources, the two sides were working on several tourism related projects. The ventures are proposed to be undertaken under the aegis and coordination of the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC). 

The projects include: exchange of delegations of tour operators between the North-east and Thailand, and setting up tourism desk at the Thai Embassy. The ICC is to initiate the process of setting up a North-East Investment Desk at the Indian Embassy in Bangkok. 

Ministry of DoNER, Ministry of Industry, Thailand and the ICC have agreed to organise a tourism convention either in Bangkok or North-east India, later this year. The India Desk at Board of Investment, Thailand would facilitate development of economic ties between North-Eastern India and Thailand, sources said.

The Thai Government would also explore the possibilities of importing fresh fruits and spices from the North-Eastern Region. The Bank of Bangkok has offered assistance in finding suitable Thai partners for the North-east based companies. 

The Bank of Bangkok has also offered financial assistance for viable projects based on provision of security from the State Governments. The ICC has been asked to take sectoral delegations to Thailand, focusing on agro and food processing, construction and tourism.

Meanwhile, focus is on Arunachal Pradesh. The State has been urged to set up one world-class tourism facility in the State. “The State Government should also carry out a techno-economic survey to assess the potential of the manufacturing sector in the State,” sources said. 

The agreements were thrashed out during the visit by deputy Minister of Industry of Thailand, Piyabutr Cholvijarn. The Minister had led a delegation of officials and entrepreneurs of the three North Eastern States from January9-12. The visit was in response to an invitation by Minister for the Development of the North-Eastern Region, Mani Shankar Aiyar of India. 

The Thai delegation included representatives from the Thailand Board of Investment, the Royal Thai Embassy in New Delhi, the Thai Office of Commercial Affairs in New Delhi and Thai companies in the food, construction, banking and steel industry. 

Last year, Thai Commerce Minister, Krirk-Krai Jirapaet had visited Tripura, Assam and Meghalaya. The visits were aimed to further promotion and strengthening of Thai investment in the Northeast and exploring its trade potential. 

The Thai delegation was joined by an Indian delegation led by Secretary DoNER, VS Rao. The visiting delegation held meetings with the Chief Ministers of the States, including Tarun Gogoi and Pawan K. Chamling. 

Both sides identified food processing, agriculture, tourism and infrastructure improvement in roads, hydro-electricity, sectors as areas with the greater potential.
            
























  
   
   (The Assam Tribune,25.01.2008)



       
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