Thai, Czech interested in NE market
Guwahati, Sep 16 : Three South-East Asian countries, namely Thailand, Vietnam and
Cambodia besides Czech Republic-have evinced some interest in doing business with the
North-East.
As the fourth NE business summit is about to end, the desperate attempt by the
industrially starved region for investment has started bearing some initial fruit as these
countries have expressed their interest to venture into the regional market.
If Thailand was interested in construction and human resource, delegates from
Vietnam showned their interest in agri-business while Cambodia was interested to promote
tourism.
But the most forthcoming of all is the Czech Republic as they are brining in a
business delegation next month to explore possibilities in mini hydel power, food
processing, aviation infrastructure and financial market.
The ambassadors of these countries took part in the business summit which has
seen participation from at least eight countries with Bangladesh and Thailand showing
their keen intrest in the regional market.
Talking to newsmen on the rideliness of the business summit, Ambassador of Czech
Republic Hynek Kmonicek said that he would take the business delegation to Aizwal,
Itanagar, Shillong besides Guwahati exploring possibilities to invest here.
'' Everyone is investing in Mumbai and New Delhi. But I find that most of the
business in North-East is done in the public sector'' he said adding. It may be a negative
thing for others but not for us.
The main thrust of the Czech Republic is the mini-hydel projects with generating
capacity of 5-25 MW as the country has century old technology to handle this small viable
products.
On the other hand, Thailand delegation headed by its Ambassador Chirasak
Thanesant have shown their interest in developing human resource for their service
industry.
'' The way Thailand is coming forward with great seriousness to do business, it
is just a matter of time that North East will do much more business using the geographical
advantage'' said Assam Industry Minister Pradyut Bardoloi.
The flight duration to Bangkok from Guwahati is less than that of New Delhi and
that is why the Government is pushing hard with the Look East policy in order to open the
region for improvement.
''We want to do business and I am sure it will be from both sides'' said Anuom
Muttaraid, Chairman, Committee of Indian Affairs Board of Trade, Thailand.
The seriousness of the Thai delegation can be gauged by the fact that the Royal
Thai Embassy has organised a special session on ''Thailand-India business opportunities:
strengthening partnership''.
UNI MT RH KLC AK RK1830
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--UNI
