Imphal, December 04, 2008: In what could be described as a major thrust to the grand Look East Policy of the Government, a top official of the Royal Thai Embassy's Commercial Office, New Delhi has expressed hope that direct trade links between Thailand and Manipur would be expedited at the earliest.

Counsellor to the Royal Thai Embassy thadarol Thongruang interacting with mediapersons at Hotel imphal today informed that along with important functionaries of the North East Federation of International Trade (NEFIT) and State Government officials studies had been conducted to establish direct trade links between the two sides.

"Like the ongoing Indo-Myanmar border trade covering 40 items, we have to have a direct trade link between Manipur and our country Thailand," the Counsellor said prior to the conclusion of his three-day visit to the State.

Taking note of several produces of Thailand being sold in market places of the state capital such as battery, mattress, furniture and electronic goods, the Thai Commercial Counsellor affirmed 'I will proposed to our Government to initiate direct trade link very soon as the Thailand Government has already mooted to market 82 items to India through Moreh town which is the focal point of trading activities'.

Pointing out that bamboo shoot, fermented fish, and handloom and handicraft products of manipur could be incorporated in the proposed trade items, Thadarol also confided that the Royal Thai Government would be impressed to establish a Thai trade information centre here in the State capital.

He also exuded confidence that in view of the proposed Trans Asian Highway project which on completion would connect India with South East Asian countries such as Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam via Moreh town the Thai-Manipur direct trade link would promote economy of the State.

The Counsellor also disclosed that as a part of boosting commercial relationships between Thailand and Manipur a car rally exclusively for business-persons would be organised with Manipur as the flag-off point and passing through Myanmar to Thailand for which permission would be sought from the Myanmar authorities.

In addition to visiting Moreh and Senapati district's Mao to assess feasibility of promoting trade ties, Thadarol also held meetings with the State's Commerce and Industries minister Y Erabot, senior officials and functionaries of NEFIT.

It is pertinent to note here that the Chief Minister O ibobi Singh had visited Thailand last year to woo Thai business persons invest in Manipur and lobbying on similar intention with Thai representatives at the North East Business Summit held this September.

The Thai Counsellor, apparently impressed with the humanitarian activities rendered by Royal Riders Manipur a group of motor cycle riders, also assured the riders of prevailing upon the Thai Government to organise a motor rally between Manipur and thailand.

Joining the media briefing, NEFIT Vice President Bijoy Pangchoo said the Federation is planning to hold multi-trade fairs in Thailand, Myanmar and India to tap natural and human resources in these countries.

Noting excellence of Manipuri players in Sepak-takraw, bijoy stated that plans are afoot to organise a friendly match between manipur and Thailand.

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