SGCCI Delegation Urges Increased Bilateral Trade with Vietnam, Thailand, and Tanzania

SURAT, GUJARAT : In a significant move to bolster international trade relations, a delegation led by the Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (SGCCI) president-elect Vijay Mevawala and vice-president elect Nikhil Madrasi has urged the ambassadors of Vietnam, Thailand, and Tanzania to enhance bilateral trade with Surat specifically and India more broadly. This initiative took place during their visit to New Delhi, where the delegation engaged in strategic discussions to strengthen commercial ties.

The SGCCI delegation met with Ambassador Her Excellency Pattarat Hongtong of Thailand, Ambassador His Excellency Nguyen Thanh Hai of Vietnam, and Minister of Trade and Investment of Tanzania, Fanuel Joseph Mathiya. They emphasized the potential for increased bilateral trade and invited the ambassadors to Surat to explore various business opportunities for entrepreneurs from their respective countries.

During the meeting, Thailand’s Ambassador Pattarat Hongtong was formally invited to attend the installation ceremony of the SGCCI President and Vice President for the year 2024-2025 as a guest of honor, a proposal she gladly accepted. This gesture is seen as a step towards fostering closer economic ties and cultural exchange between Thailand and India.

In discussions with Vietnam’s Ambassador Nguyen Thanh Hai, the delegation highlighted the mutual benefits of increased trade and investment. They underscored the potential for collaboration in sectors such as textiles, agriculture, and technology, which are key industries in both countries. Ambassador Hai expressed a keen interest in exploring these opportunities further and expressed optimism about future engagements.

The meeting with Tanzania’s Minister of Trade and Investment, Fanuel Joseph Mathiya, was particularly fruitful, focusing on a wide array of industries where bilateral trade could be enhanced. Minister Mathiya highlighted Tanzania’s vast opportunities for investment in sectors such as mining and metals, agriculture, agro-processing, healthcare, automobile, engineering and services, textiles, building materials, tourism, and IT. He emphasized the mutual benefits that increased trade and investment could bring to both nations and invited Indian entrepreneurs to explore these opportunities.

Vijay Mevawala, president-elect of SGCCI, remarked, “Our discussions with the ambassadors of Vietnam, Thailand, and Tanzania were highly encouraging. We see tremendous potential for increased trade and collaboration. By inviting these dignitaries to Surat, we aim to showcase the opportunities that our city and the wider region have to offer.”

Vice-president elect Nikhil Madrasi added, “Strengthening our international ties is crucial for the economic growth of Surat and India. We are confident that these engagements will lead to fruitful collaborations that will benefit businesses in both countries.”