HYDERABAD: It is not just Indian tourists that Thailand is keen on attracting to its shores. Now, it also wants to woo Indian companies, especially those from Andhra Pradesh, from sectors like IT & ITeS, pharma and biotech to set up shop in Thailand, Chanchai Charanvatnakit , consul general, Royal Thai Consulate General said here on Wednesday.
These sectors have been accorded topmost priority by the Thai government with the maximum incentives being offered in addition to a single window clearance, Charanvatnakit told a gathering of AP Inc at a seminar on ‘Business Opportunities in Thailand’ organized by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry’s (Ficci) AP council. He also pointed out how Thailand had abundant power for industry thanks to multiple power resources like natural gas, thermal, wind and solar power.
On the other hand, Thai companies are keen on investing in sectors like food processing in AP, he said, pointing out that Thai players like CP Aquaculture and Rockworth have already made investments in Vizag and Chittoor. While CP Aquaculture has feed mills in Vizag and Chittoor, office furniture maker Rockworth has its facility at Sri City in Chittoor.
Talking about bilateral trade, he said it was expected to grow to $14 billion by 2014 from $8.6 billion last year. “While we import machinery, auto parts and gems from India, Thailand exports electronic goods, computer parts to India,” he said.
On tourism, he pointed out that India was the top 6th tourism generator for Thailand with around 9.2 lakh Indian tourists visiting the country in 2011. “We expect over 1 million Indian tourists to visit Thailand this year. While 14 million tourists from across the world visited Thailand last year, we are targeting a total tourist inflow of 15 million this year,” Charanvatnakit said.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Thailand-woos-AP-investors/articleshow/13193899.cms