Thailand keen on importing Assam tea Surajit Khaund GUWAHATI, Aug 20 Encouraged by the new Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), Advisor to the Thai Prime Minister Dr Trairong Suwankiri has asked the tea producers of Assam to explore the Thai market. Talking to this correspondent over telephone from Bangkok, Dr Suwankiri said that Assam tea has already made a strong foothold in the global market and therefore it can harness the Thai market .
Dr Suwankiri also advocated sharing tea technology with the Thailand growers to increase the tea output in the country. Technology used by the Assam tea growers is a special one. Our tea farmers can import the technology from Assam. This will benefit both the Assam and the Thai growers, he observed.
Tea is mainly produced in Doi Mae Salong in Thailand. The total production of tea in the area is around 200 tonne per annum. Of the 200 tonne, 70 per cent is consumed locally while rest is exported to Europe and Dubai.
Divulging more in this regard, he stated that tea consumption in Thailand has been increasing gradually over the years. To meet the demand of tea in Thailand, Assam can play a key role, he said.
Dr Suwankiri, who is instrumental in linking the traders of the North East and Thailand..On future prospects of trade in the North East, he informed that this region is a potential area for investments. North East India has also very close historic links with the Thai people for which we are keen to expand our trade relations with this region. Moreover, Thai products enjoy a good demand in the North East market. So, considering the situation, the new FTA will further strengthen our trade relations, he added.
Replying to a question about the Indian market, he revealed that India has emerged as a major economic power in Asia. The volume of trade between Thailand and India has increased manifold. And now, the pact will benefit both the Indian and Thai traders as well, he added.
The Free Trade Agreement was signed recently by the Union Commerce Minister Anand Sharma and his counterparts from the ASEAN member-countries, and it will be implemented from January 1 next year.
The ASEAN comprises Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and Brunei.
