Thai delegation arrives to do business with NE

Guwahati, Jun 22: Cross border business between North east and Thailand began today with the arrival of a Thai delegation this morning on a 4-day tour to the Northeast.

''We are really optimistic about the tour and confident of striking some good business deal,'' said Asom Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi to newsmen.

He is going to play to host to the Thai delegation here at Guwahati from tomorrow.

The delegation, led by their Commerce minister Krirk-Krai Jirapaet, reached Agartala today and will fly to Guwahati and then to Shillong before returning home.

The whole trip has been arranged by Union Minister for Development of North East (DONER) Mani Shankar Aiyar.

The Union Government is giving full thrust on the ''Look east Policy'' and only last week Union External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee held a meeting through its Public Diplomacy division.

As a part of the same strategy, the DONER arranged this high profile visit as Thailand is closer to the North East geographically then even many of the Southern and Northern cities of India, including the three metros of Delhi, Chennai and Mumbai.

''We are trying to develop the whole North east into an international business destination turning its geographical disadvantage into an advantage,'' said Mr Aiyar during his last visit.

Notably this is not the first Thai business delegation, but two more had visited the region in the past.

However, so far no tangible progress have been made except the biweekly direct flight between Guwahati and Bangkok.

''Tourism is the big potential. Thailand has progressed and we too have a lot to show to the tourists'' said Mr Gogoi.

The itinerary of the Thai delegation was strategically arranged to coincide with the second leg of the Asian Grand prix as the members the delegation are excepted to visit the glittering sporting facilities developed during the last national Games at the outskirts of Guwahati.

The DONER has been trying hard to sell the North east and according to their top officials, over the next four days, besides the Thai delegation, Russian ambassador Vladimir Trubnikov and Australian high commissioner John McCarthy could be Aiyar's next two guests.

Israeli ambassador had just left and Mr Gogoi would be going to the US next week in a bid to attract foreign investment. He is also meeting the wealthy NRIs of Assam settled in Northern America.

The Thai delegation is keen to have business with North east realizing the geographical and logistical advantage as the delegation showed interest in rubber, bamboo, handloom and handicrafts besides exploring opportunities in the power, inland waterways and roads and highways sectors.

From Guwahati they will travel to Shillong with tourism and horticulture on the agenda.

UNI

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