Thailand ready to become gateway for CLMVT, China

SHANGHAI, June 29 (TNA) - Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, who oversees economic affairs, has stressed on Thailand's readiness to be a regional gateway for member countries in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) and to be a trade and investment base for China under Beijing's One Belt One Road Policy. Somkid, who is leading a Thai delegation for a business mission in China during June 26-30, told journalists in Shanghai on Wednesday that he earlier held talks with Chinese State Councilor Wang Yong, who plays a key role in administrating Chinese state enterprises, and informed him of the Thai stance. Somkid said to become a regional gateway for Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand itself, known in short as CLMVT, which are also member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), he also informed the Chinese state councilor of Thailand's ongoing move to speed up economic development and reform. Besides, Thailand's potential to become a trade and investment base for China under Beijing's five-year One Belt One Road Strategic Policy, focused on building up cooperation and connectivity in the region, was also confirmed. Somkid acknowledged that during his ongoing trip, he would also propose that Beijing and Bangkok hold bilateral free trade area (FTA) talks in specific industries foreseen to be more beneficial to both sides, after learning on problems from previous FTAs in overall trade and services. The deputy premier noted that he has assigned Thai Deputy Commerce Minister Suvit Maesincee to, thus, discuss and lay out new strategies with concerned parties. According to the deputy prime minister, both the Chinese public and private sectors have not expressed any concern over Thailand's political situation, as they appeared to understand what was happening in the country. (TNA)