Thai business team call on NE

Guwahati, Jan 10 (UNI) A business delegation, led by Thailand Deputy Minister for Industries Piyabutr Cholvijarn, is presently on a visit to the Northeastern states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim, for exploring investment opportunities in the region.

Official sources said here today that the Thai delegation, which included government officials and business entrepreneurs, arrived at Guwahati yesterday.

The official visit could culminate in giving final shape to some of the joint projects under consideration in the region, the sources added.

Speaking at a meeting between Indian investors and prospective Thai collaborators, the Thai Deputy Minister expressed satisfaction at the fast progress in economic ties between Thailand and the NE.

He said the Indian government's 'Look East' policy would bring the NE closer to the ASEAN nations and foster collaborations at various levels.

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, addressing the meeting, elaborated on the various incentives and discounts offered by the Indian government for prospective investors in the region.

He highlighted on the transport, power, airways, tea, coal, oil, tourism, food processing, silk and bamboo industries as key areas for foreign investors.

''The region has tremendous potential in these sectors, besides other areas. With active foreign investment, the region can see fast economic progress,'' Mr Gogoi added.

The Thailand Commerce Minister had visited the region last year and had set in motion active persuasion of economic and business ties between his country and the NE.

This visit was a follow-up of the NE Trade and Investment Week held in the Thai capital - Bangkok - in October and was construed as a positive response to the initiatives taken up by the Indian Chamber of Commerce, with the active cooperation of the DoNER Ministry and the Thailand Ministry of Commerce.

The NE states had been knocking the doors of foreign investors and also offered special packages to them. Though the region had been unsuccessful in attracting any substantial investment so far, the concerted efforts were showing results with the South East Asian countries displaying interest in the region.

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