Tripura expresses interest to set up trade link with Thailand

Agartala, Oct 9 (UNI) Tripura has evinced interest in setting up a fruit processing, horticultural produces, tourism and infrastructure business with Thailand while hoped of successful trade between the two countries.

Talking to media here today States Industry Minister Tapan Chakraborty, who had attended a five-day North East India Trade and Investment Opportunities Week in Bangkok between October 1 and 5 last, said that four sectors had been identified as potential for Tripura-Thailand trade.

He said three NE states - Assam, Meghalaya, Sikkim and Mizoram had signed at least eight Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Thailand, while Tripura would go for formal trade relation with the country after India-Thailand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to be held in New Delhi early next year.

Highlighting North East Industrial and Investment Policy Promotion 2007 package, which assures tax incentives and other subsidies for all investors, Mr Chakraborty had urged Thai investors to take full advantage of this package.

He was supported by two Union Ministers and eight Ministers from North-Eastern States, including five Chief Ministers, who had made out a strong case for investments in the N-E region by potential investors from Thailand.

Appreciating DoNER Minister Manishankar Aiyar he said that the Centre had been organised to project the North East of India as a favorable investment destination to prospective Thai investors and businessmen.

Tripura is all set to develop the necessary absorptive capacity to accept significant Thai investments in sectors of strategic importance like Infrastructure, Agro and Food Processing, Tourism, Handloom and Handicrafts, Mr Chakraborty underlined adding that India-Thailand FTA is a great positive step towards an improved bilateral relationship.

UNI