Joint Delegation of CII & Government of Thailand meets Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Assam
Huge potential for improving the trade volumes between India and Thailand: North East States should play a crucial role”
” H.E. Pattarat Hongtong, Ambassador of Thailand to India
Rongili Barta- A joint delegation of CII and Government of Thailand met with Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Assam and Mr Bimal Bora, Hon’ble Minister for Industries & Commerce, Govt. of Assam and discussed about opportunities of bilateral trade between India and Thailand with a special focus on North East Region. Chief Minister has proposed that a delegation of scientist and researchers from Assam could visit Thailand to understand the modern agriculture practices. Confederation of Indian Industry is taking several initiatives to augment the bilateral trade between India and Neighbouring countries with special emphasis to North East Region. The delegation is led by Her Excellency Pattarat Hongtong, Ambassador of Thailand to India and Ms Vipavee Rangsimaporn, Director of South Asian Division Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand. On this occasion, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) organised an interactive session with a High Level Business Delegation of Thailand and Industry members of Assam. While addressing the Interactive Session, Her Excellency Pattarat Hongtong, Ambassador of Thailand to India mentioned that “India’s ‘Look East’ policy and Thailand’s ‘Look West’ policy in 90s which has now transformed into India’s ‘Act East’ and Thailand’s ‘Act West” are immensely contributing in consolidating bilateral relations including economic & commercial linkages”. There is huge potential for improving the trade between India and Thailand, in this North East States should play crucial role” . She further said that “Assam has very close relationship with Thailand. The Tai Ahom culture and language are very much similar to the Tai language spoken in Thailand- and there are many similarities in cooking also.” “Indo Thai relation is rooted in history, age-old social and cultural interactions and extensive people to people contacts. Thailand and Independent India is marking the 75th year of bilateral relationship this year.” Said Mr Pankaj Goswami, Chairman CII Assam State Council and Director (Operations), Oil India Limited. Speaking on the occasion Mr Abhijit Barooah, Immediate Past Chairman, CII North East Council apprised the delegates about the various schemes and developments being taken place in the region to facilitate trade, commerce and industrial activities. The Thai Business Delegation had Business to Business meetings with their counterparts from the Northeast on Export- Import, Tourism, Food Processing, Health & Wellness, etc. CII is facilitating the Business Delegation from Thailand to have interaction with the Industry members of the Northeast in three different parts of the region namely Guwahati, Shillong and Imphal during their visit to these states. it is decided to have frequent interaction among the business fraternity of the North East India and Thailand.