PM Bainimarama invites Thailand to open diplomatic mission in Fiji

Fiji Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has invited Thailand to open a diplomatic mission in Suva and to have a high level presence at the forthcoming Pacific Islands Development Forum Summit in Nadi in September.

Bainimarama had a meeting in Bangkok with his Thai counterpart Prayuth Chan-ocha during his week long visit to Thailand.

The two leaders discussed a range of issues, including trade, military cooperation, among other.

Fiji is seeking greater access to the Thai market for its manufactured products and is also encouraging foreign direct investment by Thai businesses.

Bainimarama described his visit to Thailand as a very important one for Fiji. "While we have had diplomatic relations with Thailand for the past 42 years, I am the first Fijian prime minister to make an official visit to Thailand. We have a lot in common as nations, including our dependence on tourism and agriculture, and we can learn a great deal from each other if we take our relationship to another level. The message I conveyed to the Thai Prime Minster was that Fiji wants to build a strategic alliance with Thailand and develop a much closer relationship," he said.