Taveesin said efforts to increase connectivity between

India and ASEAN region is a win-win situation for both sides. "In terms of investment, Thailand ranks 36th among the largest investors in India with a cumulative FDI outflow of USD 94.8 million or about 0.06 per cent of India's total FDI, It is mostly in machinery, feed and livestock products and construction. "India has invested almost USD 460.2 million in Thailand mostly in chemical, paper, metal products, light industries, plastic products, auto and auto components," she said. Regarding her government's efforts to increase trade ties with the North Eastern states, Taveesin said that "there is an wide open door for closer cooperation in numerous fields such as agriculture, forestry, mining, energy, hydro-power and eco-tourism." She said: "North East India has been regarded by members of the business community in Thailand as a very important and attractive market and as a promising and welcoming investment destination. "And combining these trends of North East India with Thailand, this powerful cooperation will certainly form a potential sub-regional hub with a gigantic market place full of opportunities with possibilities for investors, traders and people from India, Myanmar and Thailand." Regarding her meeting with Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi earlier in the day yesterday, Taveesin termed it as "very promising." "I am sure that a lot of things would follow up from here. I was very much impressed when we travelled through Guwahati just now. I was surprised to see that the place is quite advanced and there is lot of good infrastructure. The city is quite impressive... "That lays good ground for confidence building and for things to move forward. I believe that we will be able to make something happen in the near future (regarding ties between South East Asia and the North Eastern states)," she said. (MORE) PTI PPB TVS