Thai Traders Scout India as Major Market, as Trade Pact Imminent.

Byline: Karnjariya Sukrung

Aug. 5--The old adage "Go West young man," seems appropriate now for Thai traders as a promising new market, India, has emerged in the west, just across the Andaman Sea.

The success of the Thailand Cultural Exhibition 2003 and the Food and Cultural Show held last month in two major cities in India signals bright prospects for Thai products and services in the country of more than one billion inhabitants.

The more than 90 companies from Thailand that took part sold out most of their products, which included stuffed dolls, plastic utensils, stationery, cosmetics, Thai cuisine ingredients and fruit wines.

Some entrepreneurs were also able to seal deals with Indian traders.

"India is a promising new market for Thailand. If we can only get one percent of its population to consume our products and services, we will do very well," said Samroeng Sampantharak, director of the South Asia Division at the Department of Export Promotion, part of the Commerce Ministry.

Out of the estimated 1.4 billion population in India, 10 percent are middle class and well-to-do and it is this group that Thai exporters and investors should target, he said.