Bangkok/Dehradun: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Mr. Trivendra Singh Rawat addressed a seminar “India your Destiny, Your Destination,” organized with the support of Indian government jointly by Thailand and Uttarakhand Government at Bangkok on Wednesday. He praised the efforts of the Indian Ambassador in this connection and said that Thailand is very important for India.
Chief Minister Mr. Trivendra Singh Rawat said that during the visit of Thailand Prime Minister to India in 2016, both the countries had resolved to strengthen bilateral cooperation and trade agreements. He said that Thailand is a dependable and valued friend and is a close associate in South-East Asia. He said that due to strengthening of close relationship and greater people to people contact between the two countries, more than a million Indians are visiting Thailand every year.
He further said that the Indian policy of “Look East “ and Thailand’s policy of “ Look West” are complimentary which are acting as a catalyst to enhance the bilateral trade between the two countries.
The Chief Minister said that infact, the bilateral trade has doubled between Thailand and India and relations in other spheres have expanded in the past decade. He said that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister of India, a strong positive change is visible. He said that India with an economy of Rs. 154.5 trillion at the International level symbolizes fastest growing economy in the world.
Regarding the economy of Uttarakhand, Chief Minister Mr. Trivendra Singh Rawat said that with new startup policy, industrial policy and special schemes in different sectors, the state government has ensured regular flow of investments in various sectors of the economy of the state. He said that as a result, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) between 2004-05 till 2015-16 has shown an annual growth rate of 16.03 per cent. He said that “Ease of doing business” is another such initiative which has resulted in India jumping 30 ranks in World Banks’ “Global Ease of Doing Business” and finding a place in the list of top 100 countries. He said that the initiative is being replicated in Uttarakhand state also with an aim to start a healthy competition between states to start and conduct businesses in congenial investor friendly atmosphere.
The Chief Minister said that Uttarakhand with a sense of entrepreneurship, modern outlook, stable and easy governance, is on its’ way to development and one of most fast developing states in the country. He said that the state can boast of a lively and productive industrial environment, investor friendly policies, excellent human resources, beneficial infrastructure, conducive labour laws, round year excellent weather and basic social infrastructure for investments.
He said that Uttarakhand is bestowed with unique bio-diversity have 175 varieties of rare aromatic and herbal plants. The state also has all the major climate zones which provides opportunities in doing business in horticulture, floriculture and agriculture sectors. Uttarakhand is one of the leading fruit producing states of the country.
He said that under the prevalent conditions when states have paid a heavy price for industrialization, Uttarakhand was able to conserve and preserve it’s environment. More than 70 per cent of the area of the state is under forest cover. The state is geographical located close to the national capital. The state taking advantage of its’ salubrious and peaceful climate wants to develop it as a major medical tourism destination.
“The state is also known as a major educational hub having many educational institutes of national and international repute. This ensures that to produce the required work force, the state has all the resources. The state has developed world class Industrial infrastructural facilities,” the Chief Minister said.
He further said that to improve the business environment, the state has created an investor friendly atmosphere. The state’s policies have been framed in consonance with policies of other states, taking suggestions from industrial bodies and entrepreneurs in the interest of Uttarakhand which shows the commitment of the state government.
The Chief Minister said that Uttarakhand has chosen the path of development and prosperity and to achieve these goal invited Thai companies to invest in the state. He hoped that to avail the large opportunities offered by Uttarakhand, Thai companies will come forward for investment in Uttarakhand. The Chief Minister said that this initiative will be mutually beneficial for Thai investors and Uttarakhand state.
Welcoming the Uttarakhand Chief Minister Mr. Trivendra Singh Rawat, Deputy Commerce Minister of Thailand Chutima Bunyapraphasarasaid that Thailand acknowledges the economic opportunities in Uttarakhand particularly in the field of agriculture, food processing and tourism. She said that a fast developing Uttarakhand would be a centre of attraction for Thai investors. The Deputy Commerce minister also invited the Uttarakhand delegation to share ideas and experiences with Thai investors in trade and tourism. She said that India is one of the major trade partners of Thailand and the trade between the two countries have reached 8.6 Billion dollars in the last five years.
She further said that during her recent visit to India she was acquainted with “ New India “ policy. The “ New India “ policy focusses on infrastructural development, regulations, humans resources, labour with a proactive approach. This policy encourages cooperation with countries of east Asia and south east Asia. She said that Thailand and India are constantly trying to forge economic cooperation in different fields. A total of 82 items have been included in the Thailand-India Free trade agreement. The Thai investment in India between 2005-2016 was 7.1 billion dollars. She said that major Thai companies have invested in different sectors in India like agriculture, food processing, minerals and automobile machinery. India has a Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) of 4.2 billion dollars in Thailand between 2005-2016.
Indian Ambassador to Thailand Bhagwant Singh Bishnoi, speaking on the occasion said that there could be investments in many fields between India and Thailand. He hoped that locals entrepreneurs would give their support following exchange of ideas between representatives of Uttarakhand and Thailand.
The permanent secretary of Thailand Commerce Ministry Noontan Sakuntnaga, Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Utpal Kumar Singh, Principal Secretary Manisha Panwar, Secretary Dilip Jawalkar, Vice-president of Invest India Priya Rawat, Industrial Advisor to Chief Minister K.S.Panwar were present on the occasion.
