The brand Meghalaya has finally arrived in Thailand with the recent visit of Meghalaya Chief Minister Dr DD Lapang to Bangkok. And with this visit the possibility of direct official trade and commerce between Meghalaya and Thailand has also brightened.

Dr Lapang, who is giving a big thrust on international relation for obvious reasons, held a very important meeting with Thai Chamber of Commerce in coordination with Industries & Trade Fair Association of Assam (ITFAA), NE Region. Incidentally, ITFAA has been organizing some very important global events like International Guwahati Trade Fair, International Shillong Trade Fair, International Shillong Shopping Carnival and the landmark Made In North East India in Bangkok last year.

During the meeting, Dr Lapang emphasized that bilateral trade between Meghalaya and Thailand would build up an important relation between the two governments. “The State Government is looking for investors to work hand in hand to make Meghalaya a ‘dream destination' and strengthen its bond with Thailand,” he said.

The Chief Minister welcomed all prospective investors from Thailand to invest in the tourism sector, information technology and IT-enabled services, education, agro-food processing, medical and healthcare, pharmaceuticals and development of physical infrastructure (roads and bridges).

Anusom Muttaraid, chairman of Delta Electronics, Thailand in an audiovisual presentation to the high-level Meghalaya delegation expressed keen interest to open a unit in Meghalaya. “CM’s open invitation and dynamism has greatly impressed the Thai businessmen. He has offered to provide all support towards opening a unit at Byrnihat,” informed Arimdam Som, commissioner & secretary, industries, Meghalaya. The collaboration will be a landmark development in the economy of Meghalaya. Delta Electronics will train more than two thousand local youths for the unit.

Muttaraid informed that Delta Electronics is already working in India; but with India’s Look East Policy and Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Dr Lapang’s recent visit to Thailand the company is keen to build business relationship with Northeast India.

It may be mentioned that since 2005, ITFAA has been closely working with the Meghalaya Government to promote the region in countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Thailand. After very successful visit of Dr Lapang, ITFAA is now coordinating with Thai Chamber of Commerce for a visit of Thai delegation to Meghalaya to strengthen bilateral ties. A high-level delegation led by Dr Lapang attended the meeting in Bangkok on October 23. Other members of the delegation were WMS Pariat, chief secretary, Arimdam Som, commissioner & secretary, industries and the director of industries.

Meanwhile, the 4th International Shillong Shopping Carnival (ISSC) inaugurated by minister for higher and technical education Ampareen Lyngdoh ended successfully at Madan Iewrynghep, Laitumkhrah recently. The ITFAA organized the carnival in co-ordination with the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles. Bangladesh, Thailand, Egypt and Pakistan participated in the fair.

Around 30 handicraft artisans took part in the carnival selling exquisite items that drew huge crowd of buyers. While Manipur artisans displayed dolls and shawls, among other things, their Meghalaya counterparts came up with cane and bamboo products. Another huge hit was the Karachi Food Corner, with its tempting spread of special Pakistani chicken biryani.

It’s heartening to know that the ITFAA trade fairs are proving to be a boon in creating an ambience for the growth of trade and business between the Northeast and the Southeast Asian nations.

Simanta Bhagawati & Mridumoloy