Thailand, Pakistan agree to foster ties

Thailand and Pakistan have agreed to promote bilateral trade, cooperation and investment, Thai News Agency reported on Wednesday.

Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra arrived Islamabad on Tuesday for an official visit to reinforce amicable relations with Pakistan's newly elected government and build a strong economic partnership between the two nations.

This marks the first official visit of a Thai prime minister since 2002, and reaffirms over six decades of close and cordial relations.

Following the official welcoming ceremony, Yingluck met with the Thai private sector to learn about their experiences and challenges as well as to discuss opportunities in trade and investment in Pakistan.

The Thai premier later met with Premier Muhammad Nawaz Sharif with both leaders discussing bilateral cooperation to strengthen Thai-Pakistani trade and investment relations, multilateral cooperation and other issues of mutual interest.

The two premiers witnessed the signing of three documents including a visa exemption agreement for diplomats, and Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) on setting up a Joint Trade Committee and a Joint Business Council.

In Pakistan, Prime Minister Yingluck was accompanied by 25 representatives from Thai private sector potential business areas, such as food and agricultural products, energy/alternative energy, gems and jewelleries, hospitals/medicine, tourism, and construction.

The Thai visitors met and paired with their Pakistani counterparts to strengthen business network and explore trade and investment opportunities.

Yingluck will return to Bangkok on Wednesday.