(a) whether the Thai delegation during its recent visit to the North-East has signed an agreement/understanding for supply of Assam silk products and for cooperation in silk
production and trade;
(b) if so, the details of other issues discussed and the outcome thereof; and
(c) the steps taken/ proposed to be taken in this regard?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION
(SHRI MANI SHANKAR AIYAR )
(a) : No, Sir. The Thai Minister, in his conversation with the Indian Minister,
remarked during his visit to Sualkuchi village that high quality Assam silks seemed to
be directed towards niche markets while Thailand was more oriented to mass markets. He
offered technical assistance, if required, but apprehended that the high quality of
Assamese silk products might be adversely affected if the industry were re-oriented
towards a mass market.
(b) & (c) : During its visit to the North Eastern States, the Thai delegation evinced
interest in the areas of infrastructure, food processing & agro industries, tourism,
etc. As a follow up, and at the instance of the Thai Minister, “North East India
Investments Opportunities Week†is being organized in Bangkok from the 1st –3rd
October 2007. It is hoped that this will generate Thai investment and other forms of
Thai-India economic cooperation in the North Eastern Region.