Thais begin exploring business openings in NE

New Delhi, June 23: A business delegation led by Thailand Commerce Minister Krirk-krai Jirapaet has started touring the country's North-Eastern region to explore business opportunities for his country, ahead of a three-day state visit by Thai Prime Minister General Surayud Chulanont.

In the wake of External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee's recent visit to the area to give an impetus to India's Look-East policy, the visit of Thai business delegation assumes significance.

Mr Jirapaet happens to be a first foreign leader to visit Tripura in 60 years, an official statement said.

Addressing the 32-strong group of Thai delegates at Agartala yesterday, Union Minister for Development of North-Eastern region Mani Shankar Aiyar said since Thailand with impressive foreign exchange reserve is looking for investment opportunities, Tripura and other areas in the North-Eastern region should provide such opportunities for mutual benefit of the two countries.

He said rubber industry in the region could take advantage of the Thai expertise and offer very fruitful investment opportunities as Thai economy has made significant strides in rubber and bamboo industry as also in handlooms and handicrafts and natural gas.

In collaboration with Thailand, area under rubber cultivation in Tripura could be raised three times from 30,000 acres under cultivation now, he added.

''Similar cooperation could be worked out in bamboo, handlooms and handicrafts and exploration of natural gas.'' Emphasising the need to develop an impressive road network in the North-Eastern region, Mr Aiyar said the government plans to spend 15 billion dollars. Thailand, he added, could invest in road transport infrastructure in this region.

Stating that rail and air connectivity in the region is also an area of priority, the Indian Minister said about 600 intra-regional air services per week are expected in near future, adding 50 airports also expected to become operational in the next five years.

Mr Aiyar said said India's Look-East policy can be successful only when her North-Eastern region is linked with South East Asia but added it should be forged through an integral business relationship and not merely through trade transactions.

Expressing his keenness on Indo-Thai business relationship, Thai Commerce Minister hoped they will able to identify several areas of cooperation during their three-day visit.

The delegates, including heads of different business agencies and export councils, will interact with Indian business counterparts to explore business and investment opportunities in the coming days, when they will also visit Guwahati and Shillong.

UNI

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