Thaindian News

Kolkata, July 15 (IANS) A Thai diplomat Friday pitched for expanding trade and investment between Thailand and India on a city to city basis for improving relations between the two countries, and hoped bilateral trade will double in the next three years.

Speaking at an interactive session here, Thai Consul General in Kolkata Prastittidesh Vichitsorasatra asked investors to explore ways of increasing rubber export from his nation and said there was lot of scope in the highways sector of both countries.

“Geographically, Thailand is very close to India. We need to convert the closeness in other spheres especially trade and investment. Both the countries need to stress on improving trade relations on a city to city basis,” said Vichitsorasatra.

The diplomat also said he hoped the trade between the two nations will double in the next three years.

“Last year, the trade between India and Thailand was US$ 6.6 billion, which is likely to be US$ 13 billion by 2014.”

The envoy invited Thai as well as Indian investors to invest across the national highways in the state.

“While travelling on the highway to Bodhgaya (in Bihar) I felt people could invest there as lot of land was lying vacant across the highway. In Thailand there are hotels, lodges, restrooms and eateries across highways. I feel investors can set up projects on those lands.”

The envoy was speaking at an interactive session attended by 23 delegates from Thailand led by Maitri Inthusut, governor of Trang, Thailand. The event was organised by the Bharat Chamber of Commerce.

Inviting delegates from India, Inthusut said exchange of trade and commercial delegates between the countries on a frequent basis would help in improving the relations as well as exploring business prospects.

“Our major industry is rubber. Around 85 percent of area in Trang is under rubber plantation. But rubber export to India accounts only five percent. Therefore I invite investors to explore ways and means to improve the percentage,” said the visiting governor.