Guwahati, July 16: In a landmark move to strengthen cultural and economic ties, the North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation (NEHHDC) hosted a high-level Thai delegation at its Craft Promotion and Experience Centre in Garchuk, Guwahati. The visit culminated in a proposal to sign a Joint Action Plan (JAP) aimed at deepening cooperation in handlooms, handicrafts, and the broader creative economy.
The delegation, led by Kiran Moongtin, Minister attached to the Department of South Asian, Middle East, and African Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, included senior officials from Thailand’s Creative Economy Agency (CEA), cultural and tourism departments, academic institutions, and the Royal Thai Embassy in New Delhi.
Welcomed with a traditional Bihu performance, the delegation toured an exhibition showcasing handloom and handicraft products crafted by artisans from Northeast India. NEHHDC Managing Director Mara Kocho (IES) presented the Corporation’s capabilities, highlighting its OEKO-TEX certified Eri Silk Spinning Mill, NABL-accredited Textile Testing Lab, and its extensive artisan network backed by national agencies such as DC Handloom, MSME, and NSIC.
The key focus of the visit was the proposed Joint Action Plan between NEHHDC and CEA. The JAP is expected to be formalised soon and will cover ten strategic pillars: knowledge exchange, joint product innovation, artisan skill development, cultural residencies, global exhibition participation, sustainability standards, co-managed digital platforms, cross-border e-commerce, intellectual property protection, and policy dialogues on the creative economy.
The delegation also toured NEHHDC’s cutting-edge infrastructure, including its Handloom Production Unit, Textile Testing Laboratory, Centre of Excellence, and the Artisan Museum, offering a firsthand look at the region’s traditional expertise blended with modern capabilities.
Officials from both sides reaffirmed their commitment to sustainable development, cultural preservation, and mutual growth through inclusive economic cooperation. The engagement marks a significant step in aligning Northeast India and Thailand’s shared civilizational heritage with the demands of the modern global creative economy.
