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Thailand keen to invest in North East India

Shillong: 'We are keen on investing in the North East, but to push forward our plans, the existing investment policy needs to be flexible.' This was the immediate reaction of Thai Ambassador to India Krit Kraichitti.

Talking to NNN, Kraichitti said that this region can attract substantial investments from the Thai companies. 'We have identified three core areas, including tourism, infrastructure and aviation in the North East in which we can invest with the help of the North-eastern Governments,' he said.

Elaborating more in this regard, he revealed that Air Asia, a leading aviation company of Thailand, is willing to connect Guwahati by its services that will further cement relations between North East India and Thailand. 'We are also trying to include this region in our tourism circuit so that Thai tourists can visit the Buddhist sites scattered in Upper Assam,' he said, adding that tourism can be a major industry in the region if it is harnessed properly.

Kraichitti along with a 20-member Thai cultural team are now in Guwahati to participate in the 17 th International Trade Fair organised by the Industries and Trade Fair Association of Assam (ITFAA).

The Thai envoy also underscored the need for road connectivity between Thailand and the North East via Myanmar. 'Proper connectivity is a must to boost bilateral trade,' he added.

On Indo-Thai bilateral trade, Kraichitti informed that the volume of trade between India and Thailand has been growing exponentially during the last couple of years. Indian companies’ investments in Thailand now stand at $1.5 billion, similarly Thai companies have also made substantial investments in India. Since the North East has old historic ties with Thailand, it can woo Thai investments by way of involving the local traders,' he opined.

Replying to a question about India-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (FTA), he stated that it was a great move on the part of the Indian Government. 'India is now emerging as a major economic power in Asia and the new FTA will definitely enhance trade ties with Thailand. Moreover, Thailand and India are the members of BIMSTEC which always pitches for increasing volume of trade and mutual relations,' Krichitti stated. Shillong: 'We are keen on investing in the North East, but to push forward our plans, the existing investment policy needs to be flexible.' This was the immediate reaction of Thai Ambassador to India Krit Kraichitti.

Talking to NNN, Kraichitti said that this region can attract substantial investments from the Thai companies. 'We have identified three core areas, including tourism, infrastructure and aviation in the North East in which we can invest with the help of the North-eastern Governments,' he said.

Elaborating more in this regard, he revealed that Air Asia, a leading aviation company of Thailand, is willing to connect Guwahati by its services that will further cement relations between North East India and Thailand. 'We are also trying to include this region in our tourism circuit so that Thai tourists can visit the Buddhist sites scattered in Upper Assam,' he said, adding that tourism can be a major industry in the region if it is harnessed properly.

Kraichitti along with a 20-member Thai cultural team are now in Guwahati to participate in the 17 th International Trade Fair organised by the Industries and Trade Fair Association of Assam (ITFAA).

The Thai envoy also underscored the need for road connectivity between Thailand and the North East via Myanmar. 'Proper connectivity is a must to boost bilateral trade,' he added.

On Indo-Thai bilateral trade, Kraichitti informed that the volume of trade between India and Thailand has been growing exponentially during the last couple of years. Indian companies’ investments in Thailand now stand at $1.5 billion, similarly Thai companies have also made substantial investments in India. Since the North East has old historic ties with Thailand, it can woo Thai investments by way of involving the local traders,' he opined.

Replying to a question about India-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (FTA), he stated that it was a great move on the part of the Indian Government. 'India is now emerging as a major economic power in Asia and the new FTA will definitely enhance trade ties with Thailand. Moreover, Thailand and India are the members of BIMSTEC which always pitches for increasing volume of trade and mutual relations,' Krichitti stated.