Thailand knocked on the door of opportunities in Rajasthan

Thai Ambassador explored the state to the core of its strengths and opportunities on a 4-day official visit to Jodhpur and Jaipur between 23-26 February 2013.

In Jodhpur, a group of the city’s leading businessmen led by Mr. Nirmal Bhandari, President of Jodhpur Handicrafts Exporters’ Association hosted a dinner for Ambassador and his delegation at hotel Ajit Bhawan. A group of 11 businessmen of the city in sectors of antique furniture, handicrafts, textiles and garments, chemical products, construction and Hindi newspaper joined the fruitful evening by sharing ideas and business scenario of the city.

A warm welcome to Ambassador by Jodhpur’s leading businessmen (Mr.Bhandari stands on fourth from the right)

Ambassador was also invited to see the famous antique furniture and handicrafts industry of the city by visiting the factory of Prince Art Exporter, owned by Mr. Mahaveer Jain, a successful businessman who owns an empire of highly-skilled 1,600 craftsmen and 8 warehouses/factories. Prince Art Exporter has sent exports of antique furniture and delicate handicrafts to USA, Europe, Japan and Thailand. A visit to Bhandari Exports was also included in the programme.

Left: In one of eight warehouses of Prince Art Exporter,                                      Right: Furniture showroom at Bhandari Exports

During a call on Ambassador at hotel, Mr. Gaurav Goyal, Collector of Jodhpur, reported about abundant power resources in Rajasthan in which what is now being discovered is just a tip of iceberg. He invited Ambassador to lead a group of interested Thai businessmen and investors to see investment potentials in desert areas of Barmei and Jaisalmer where a huge reserve of oil and gas needs to be tapped.

In Jaipur, Mr. Sunil Arora, Additional Chief Secretary, chaired over a comprehensive briefing for Ambassador about investment and business opportunities in Rajasthan. The briefing was also joined by Mr. Naveen Mahajan, Managing Director, Rajasthan State Industrial Development and Investment Corporation (RIICO) and Mr. Siddharth Mahajan, Commissioner, Investment and NRI.

A briefing chaired by Mr. Sunil Arora at Udyog Bhawan in Jaipur

A brief tour to the center for Single Window Clearance, a RIICO’s service housed in Udyog Bhawan, was also arranged for Ambassador.

Ambassador learnt about the operation of the center for Single Window Clearance

The state arranged a visit for Ambassador to two top factories in Sitapura SEZ, RMC Gems India and Derewala Jewellery Industries to show the city’s renowned industry of gems, jewellery, gold and silver production for domestic consumption and export.

Left: Worker is counting precious stones at RMC Gems India, Right: Ambassador with Mr. Pramod Derewala at Derewala Jewellery Industries

Before returning to New Delhi, Ambassador hosted lunch for a group of leading jewelers of Jaipur at Rambagh Palace. The group led by Mr. Rajiv Jain, Regional Chairman, The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council, Mr. Pramod Agarwal, Chairman, Derewala Jewellery Industries Ltd. and representatives of Sarafa Traders Committee led by Kailash Mittal, Chief Secretary, told Ambassador about current trade and import-export scenario with Thailand in this sector.

Khanin Boonyasopat

Reports from New Delhi