Thailand to take trade with India to $10b in next 2 yrs

Thailand aims to increase the bilateral trade with India to USD 10 billion in the next two years, a senior official from the Southeast Asian nation said today.       

"Following the Thailand government's policy to strengthen the relationship with all countries, including India, a great deal of effort has been put in forging a bilateral trade relationship with India," Thai Trade Centre Director Paisan Maraprygsavan said.    

"The current two-way trade with India stands at USD 6.6 billion. We want to increase it to USD 10 billion in two years," he told reporters here on the sidelines of inauguration of the seventh edition of Thailand Trade Show, 2011 at the Chennai Trade Centre.  

He said India signing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Thailand and with the ASEAN countries would help strengthening the two-way trade relations.     

India imports various products, including cosmetics, furniture and rubber, while it exports automobile parts, sea food, diamond, coal and plastic products to Thailand, he added. The three-day expo, Thailand Trade Show-2011, was formally inaugurated by Royal Thai Consulate Consul-General Chanchai Charanvatnakit.           

He said more than 100 exhibitors ranging from food, beverage, garments, textiles, fashion accessories, health and kitchen products were taking part in the event.