No agreement for Assam silk signed: Aiyar

New Delhi, Aug 29 (UNI) Government today denied reports that a delegation from Thailand, during its recent visit to the North-Eastern Region (NER), has signed an agreement for the supply of Assam silk products and for cooperation in silk production and trade.

This was announced by the Minister for Development of North-Eastern Region (DONER) Mani Shankar Aiyar in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

Mr Aiyar said the Thai Minister, in his conversation with the Indian Minister, had remarked during his visit to Sualkuchi village that high-quality Assam silks seemed to be directed towards niche markets, while Thailand was more oriented to mass markets.

He offered technical assistance, if required, but apprehended that the high quality of Assamese silk products might be adversely affected if the industry were re-oriented towards a mass market.

Mr Aiyar said during its visit to the NER states, the Thai delegation evinced interest in the areas of infrastructure, food processing, agro-industries and tourism. As a follow-up and at the instance of the Thai Minister, Mr Aiyar said, ''North East India Investments Opportunities Week'' will be organised in Bangkok from October 1-3 this year''.

It is hoped that this will generate Thai investment and other forms of Thai-India economic cooperation in the NER.

UNI