By IANS
Agartala : Thailand has evinced keen interest to expand its trade and cultural ties with India by doing business in the northeastern region, Thai officials Friday said.
A high level Thai business delegation led by Commerce Minister Krirk-Krai Jirapaet arrived here Friday as part of a four-day visit to the northeast.
The team held discussions with ministers, government officials and local entrepreneurs to work out modalities for setting up businesses in the region and possible areas of collaboration.
"We would like to develop tourism, agro-industries besides capacity building with each other's cooperation," Jirapaet told reporters here.
"We should consolidate mutual cooperation in trade and business so that we are benefited," the Thai minister said.
Union Minister for Development of North East Region Mani Shankar Aiyar, Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh, besides top Indian officials accompanied the Thai delegation.
"Thailand is the first ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) country which has shown intense interest to start trade and investment in the northeast," Aiyar said.
The Thai team also visited some places in Tripura to study the potential of the region in sectors like rubber, tea, and bamboo plantation.
Tripura chief minister Manik Sarkar met the visiting business delegation.
The Thai team will also visit Meghalaya and Assam.
"Thailand is willing to use bamboo, rubber and other forest based products for productive purposes," Aiyar said.
"Geographical and bio-diversity features of Thailand and northeast India are very similar and the former has made excellent forays in road construction. It would be of great advantage to the region if Thailand can partner in this area," he said.
Aiyar said the Indian government intends to spend $15 billion on road construction in the eight northeastern states in the next five years.
"Second area of collaboration with Thailand could be the river transport segment," Aiyar said.
"To promote partnership in trade, investment, technology and entrepreneurship between the people of northeast India and Thailand, an institute would be set up in northeast to teach Thai language," he said.