China, Thailand to increase bilateral trade, investment

BANGKOK, September 18 (TNA) - Members of the Thailand-China Joint Trade Committee will first meet in Beijing soon and later in Thailand to discuss ways to further boost bilateral trade and investment between Beijing and Bangkok. Thai Deputy Prime Minister MR Pridiyathorn Devakula, who oversees economic affairs, told journalists of the information on Thursday, after holding a meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Thailand Ning Fukui at Bangkok's Government House. MR Pridiyathorn said that members of the Thailand-China Joint Trade Committee will confer on what sectors Chinese investors should increase investment in Thailand. MR Pridiyathorn revealed that his discussions with the Chinest top envoy were focused on cooperation on trade and investment between the two countries. According to the deputy premier, Thailand’s trade with China has jumped to 12 per cent out of total Thai export now, compared with only 2 per cent 15 years ago. The deputy prime minister acknowledged that Thailand and China rely on each other in exports and China is considered a main pillar of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), in which Thailand is a member country. (TNA)