Thai Ambassador urges two-way approach to Thai-Indo business relations

On Wednesday, Mr. Pisan Manawapat, Ambassador of Thailand to India, spoke in front of CII industrialists at Taj Mahal Hotel underlining ample business opportunities between Thailand and India as both countries look to expand their economic ties.

At the conference, organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in cooperation with ASEAN New Delhi Committee (ANDC) comprising ASEAN head diplomats in New Delhi under the theme “India-ASEAN Project Partnership”, Ambassador Pisan presented a brief summary of business and investment opportunities in Thailand for Indian investors (see PowerPoint slides) and emphasized the role private sectors of both countries could play to generate more business flows.

ASEAN Heads of Missions at the CII Conference in Delhi

In highlighting Indian companies that already have operations in Thailand, he urged those which were not yet present in Thailand but interested to make entrance to not look too far and take advantage of existing Thai companies in India as their starting point. “These Thai companies are all listed in the Thai Stock Exchange and would be your most reliable partners.”

To facilitate both private sectors to work together, Ambassador Pisan revealed that a Business Forum was under process of being set up by the two governments. This forum will bring together 7-8 top CEOs of Indian firms which have stakes in Thailand and vice versa to discuss constructively on how to create better business environments at both ends.

Indian industrialists attended the Conference with much interest

The Thai Ambassador also did not forget to invite Indian firms which are looking for a venue for their business conference to choose Thailand as their destination. He guaranteed that with the world class facilities and world renowned Thai hospitality, the best deals were there to be had.

During the Q&A session, Mr. Pisan projected his vision of Thai-Indo relations. He proposed that India could market itself as a popular tourist destination. With some 29 world heritage sites, India could attract more Thai tourists and create more people-to-people contact by promoting these sites among the Thais and at the same time making travels easier by implementing an open sky policy.

CII has in recent years been active in engaging with ASEAN as business potentials are being realized by Indian firms all across South-East Asia. It currently runs an office in Singapore helping to direct investment traffic from India to ASEAN's 600-million-people market.

Praphan Samphaiworakit

Reports from New Delhi

24 April 2013