Thai DPM to officially visit Myanmar

BANGKOK, February 2 (TNA) - Thai Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak is scheduled to pay an official visit to Myanmar this week to explore more business cooperation between the two neighbouring countries. Board of Investment of Thailand (BOI) Secretary-General Chokedee Kaewsaeng told journalists on Thursday that Deputy Prime Minister Somkid, who oversees national economy, will lead concerned Cabinet members and a Thai business delegation to visit Myanmar on February 3. Chokedee said on the same occasion, BOI, the Thai Ministry of Commerce and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will jointly organise a conference, themed Thailand-Myanmar Business Cooperation, with the Myanmar private sector, including the Thai-Myanmar Business Council (TMBC), the Thai Business Association of Myanmar (TBAM) and the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI), in Yangon. Chokedee noted that major activities at the conference will be focused on opening opportunities for both the Thai and Myanmar private sectors to hold their close discussions, strengthen their relations and explore more cooperation in various areas, including trade, investment, tourism and others. According to the BOI deputy chief, the conference will also serve as a stage for both countries' business sectors to raise their views and propose solutions to reduce obstacles for the Thai and Myanmar public sectors. The BOI deputy chief revealed that over 200 participants from both the Myanmar and the Thai sides have initially expressed their interests in attending the conference. Besides, the Thai deputy premier will deliver a special speech on the Thai government's policy direction and readiness on strengthening bilateral business cooperation through business alliance with Myanmar in various areas, namely electricity, oil and natural gas investment projects, as well as those in the Dawei Special Economic Zone, the Myanmar banking, food and processed farm produce and tourism sectors, while the Thai government will also welcome and support Myanmar businesses investing in Thailand. (TNA)