Thailand willing to enhance trade with Pakistan: Minister

KARACHI: Minister, Department of South Asian, Middle East and African Affairs of Thailand, Nat Pinyowattanacheep said Thursday that his government attaches great importance to relations with Pakistan and willing to enhance bilateral trade.

He assured that their concerned departments will extend technical cooperation to Pakistan in many fields including gems and jewellery, seafood and alternative energy solutions.

Pinyowattanacheep, who is leading a nine-member Thai delegation, was talking to Secretary Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) Javed Anwar Khan, during the visit to TDAP head office.

Delegates from Thai Chamber of Commerce, The Federation of Thai Industries, Board of Investment, Statistics and Research Bureau and MOFA, TDAP officers and Thai Consul General were also present in the meeting.

Secretary TDAP identified potential for joint ventures including textiles, fruits and vegetables, sea food, and gems and jewelry between the two countries.

He said TDAP was planing to open a gems and Jewellery facility in the vicinity of Karachi airport and asked for technical cooperation from Thailand in this regard.

Khan pointed out that at present Thai Government has imposed a ban on the export of fruits and vegetables from Pakistan. He requested Thai side to send an inspection team to Pakistan to personally inspect the processing unit and orchid of fresh fruits.

Pakistan is strictly following all phyto sanitary standards and many South East countries like Indonesia and Malaysia have allowed imports of fruits and vegetables from Pakistan, he added.

Khan asserted that China and Iran have also lifted restriction from the import of mango and kinnoo export from Pakistan. Recently, Japan and USA have allowed import of mangoes from Pakistan, he noted.

Secretary TDAP also extended invitation to the leader of delegation to send a high profile delegation of Thai businessmen during forthcoming mega event Expo Pakistan and added TDAP will extend logistic support and hospitality.

The members of delegation further informed that there was a vast potential for enhancing trade between Pakistan and Thailand which can be increased to $2 billion in the next 3 years if concerted efforts are put in on both sides.

Representative from Federation of Thai Industries informed that in Thailand, associations have 40 different sectoral groups and Pakistan's sectoral associations should develop linkages with these groups for value addition, joint ventures, technology transfer and cooperation.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011