October 04, 2007

by News Desk 

The North East India Trade & Investment Opportunities Week came to an end yesterday in Bangkok and was marked by signing of several MoUs and talks of future collaborations during the dinner hosted by India Thai Business Forum. It was a memorable evening which aptly summed up the activity in the last three days at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center.

H.E. Mr. Aiyar, Union Minister for Panchayati Raj, Youth Affairs and Sports, and the Development of North Eastern Region of India (DoNER), informed that in all 35 business sectors have been identified for collaborations, initial contacts have been made and some MoUs are being signed.

He said that although Thailand and Indian are so close to each other both geographically and culturally, there is more room for better and fruitful relationship. The time has come to make up for the last 60 years which could not be utilized for relationship building.

He credited Thailand Commerce Minister H.E. Khun Krik- Krai Jirapet and Deputy Minister of Industry H.E. Mr. Piyabutr Cholvijarn, for the entire progress made till now and conveyed his heartfelt thanks to them.

The Deputy Minister of Industry H.E. Mr. Piyabutr Cholvijarn announced that the event was exceptionally successful and that he was extremely pleased. He admitted that there was some nervousness but finally, everything has gone very well. In his own inimitable style, he gave the entire credit to Mr. Aiyar adding that he would never be able to match the charisma of Mr. Aiyar.

The Chairman of ITBF Mr. Satish Sehegal spoke about the need of more connectivity between both the regions. He said that the two sectors with lots of potential are the tourism sector and the food processing sector. It is in these sectors that Thai expertise can come handy.

Other dignitaries who spoke on the occasion included H.E. Ms. Latha Reddy, Ambassador of India to Thailand and H.E. Ms. Chutima Bunyapraphasara, Director-General of the Trade Negotiations Department (Ministry of Commerce, Thailand)

While H.E. Ms. Latha Reddy, informed that the embassy will always be ready to support any individual or organization in whatsoever form, H.E. Ms. Chutima Bunyapraphasara informed that Thailand was ready for signing of FTA and was only waiting for their Indian counterparts to be ready.

Mr. V K Gupta, the MC for the evening and the Secretary General of ITBF informed that the dinner was a part of celebration of 5 years of ITBF.

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