Thailand official team in State to boost trade ties
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Sobhapati Samom

Imphal, March 18 2013: As a follow-up of the Indo-Thai Business Seminar organised by Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India in January 2013 at Bangkok, a seven-member trade delegation of Royal Thai Government lead by Dr.Nalinee Taveesin, Permanent Representative of Thai Prime Minister's Office (PMO) today visited Manipur on the ICC's invitation to enhance the bilateral and business relations between Thailand and North East Region.

The other members of the delegation include advisors to Thailand Trade representative, General Nopparat Yodvimol and Shiva Thepcharoen, Miss Puttachart Wongmongkol, Senior Trade Officer; Miss Supawadee Cherdmanee, Plan and Policy analyst; Lt Pimyada Chatsathienpong, an accompanying officer from Royal Thai Embassy, New Delhi and Tharadol Thingruang, Minister Counsellor Commercial.

The Thai delegation is an official tour to Shillong (Meghalaya), Guwahati (Assam) and Imphal (Manipur) to strengthen trade relations between India and Thailand, especially when the region is opening up after commissioning of Trilateral Asian Highways.

CM O Ibobi Singh presenting a memento to one of members of the visiting Thai delegation

Soon after their arrival here this afternoon, Dr Nalinee and her team called on Governor Gurbachan Jagat and Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh at their respective offices separately.

Later, Dr.Nalinee Taveesin, who is also Cabinet Member in Thailand's PMO, attended an ICC hosted interaction with representatives of industries and government officials at Classic Hotel, Imphal, where she said that visiting Manipur is like landing at Thailand.

Expressing the need to "tap the untapped" areas for enhancing bilateral relationship between India and Thailand, Dr.Taveesin, said they will try to have "something to happen in the near future" .

Terming the trade between India and Thailand as "growing", she said that it is expected to increase from 8.2 billion US dollars in 2011-12 to 16 billion US dollars in 2014 .

She also opined that people to people interaction and understanding would soon start once the required infrastructures are set as there is already the government to government understanding.

Stating that the low cost airlines of Thailand can fly up to Guwahati, however, it would depend on airlines concerned, she, nonetheless, informed that a new air connection with Odisha will start from mid 2013 .

On the other hand, while giving a presentation to the visiting Thai delegation, Principal Secretary (Commerce and Industries), Government of Manipur O Nabakishore informed that the Tulihal Airport at Imphal all set to begin its operation as an International airport from July this year.

He also conveyed that the Government of Manipur is introducing Visa on arrival facilities (upto one month) to the Myanmarese Nationals who wish to visit Manipur for medical treatment besides launching of 517km Imphal-Mandalay bus service to enhance connectivity.

Moreover, Nabakishore impressed upon the visiting Thai delegation that the border town of Moreh in Manipur, which is located 110 km to the south of the State capital, is all set to develop as a hub for trade and tourism as both Asian Highways 1 and 1 would pass through it.

ICC's Sr Vice President Sumit Mazumdar, Chairman NE regional council MK Saharia, Chief Secretary of Manipur DS Poonia were also among others who attended and spoke during the interaction.