Thailand, Cambodia to boost bilateral trade

BANGKOK, November 29 (TNA) - Thailand and Cambodia have set a joint target on enhancing and sustaining their bilateral trade in the long term. Deputy Government Spokesman Lieutenant General Werachon Sukondhapatipak told journalists that the joint target was set on November 28 when newly-appointed Cambodian Ambassador to Thailand H.E. Mr. Long Visalo paid a courtesy call on Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha at Bangkok's Government House to introduce himself. The deputy spokesman said that both sides agreed on boosting the values of bilateral trade on the sustainable basis, and that Thailand is also ready to share knowledge and experiences on the development of quality of products to Cambodia. Besides, the deputy spokesman stated, the Thai premier proposed that issues on bilateral cooperation agreed earlier at the 3rd Joint Thai-Cambodian Cabinet Retreat in Phnom Penh over past few months be quickly implemented, covering the prevention and suppression of smuggled goods across the border of both neighboring countries. According to the deputy spokesman, the Thai premier promised to take good care of Cambodian migrant workers in Thailand and sought the Cambodian cooperation on expediting and completing the nationality verification process of the migrant workers. The deputy spokesman acknowledged that both sides also paid attention to a plan on opening more border permanent checkpoints and would assign Thai and Cambodian agencies concerned to proceed with the plan. On the occasion, the deputy spokesman noted that the Thai prime minister extended his best wishes to Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni and the newly-appointed Cambodian ambassador, affirming the Thai government's policy on working together with Phnom Penh to strengthen bilateral ties and cooperation in all areas. The new Cambodian top envoy, in turn, thanked the Thai government for, among others, supporting cross-border transport connectivity, especially a 6.5 kilometer-diesel train project, linking Aranyaprathet in the eastern Thai Sa Kaeo Province with Poipet City of the western Cambodian Banteay Meanchey Province, under which Thailand will also soon help train Cambodian officials on the operational and maintenance techniques after presenting the project to Phnom Penh. (TNA)