NE business team to leave for Bangkok tomorrow

Agartala, Sep 28 (UNI) A 32-member business delegation, including ten members from Tripura, led by DoNER Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar, would leave for Bangkok tomorrow to attend the Northeast India Investors Meet, scheduled from October one to four.

Talking to UNI here today, Tripura Industrial Entrepreneurs president Subrata Roy said in order to enhance economic development and investment in the region, the DoNER Ministry had taken the initiative to chalk out the areas of potential collaboration between India and Thailand.

'' The region cannot develop unless the neighbouring countries recognise the efforts, and this meeting, followed by the visit of the Thai delegation in NE next month, will definitely help us ensure better investment in future, '' Mr Roy said.

He pointed out that Thailand had made remarkable progress during the past 30 years and the NE states could replicate the Thai concept of development, as the bio-diversity and topographical features of Thailand and the NE were similar.

Referring to the DoNER Minister's statement, Mr Roy underlined that the Centre had initiated a project, costing USD 15 billion, on road construction in the NE during the next five years, and it would be advantageous to the NE if Thailand could partner in this area.

During the meeting, the delegation would explore the possibilities of water transport with Thailand through the Brahmaputra, Barak and the Kaladan rivers and expansion of the rubber industry, as the region accounted for 80 per cent of India's natural rubber production.

UNI