ID :
302023
Mon, 10/07/2013 - 11:36
Auther :

China, Thailand agree to boost trade

BANGKOK, October 7 (TNA) - Chinese President Xi Jinping and Thai Prime Minister and Defence Minister Yingluck Shinawatra have agreed to boost bilateral trade value of the two countries to 100 billion US dollars by 2015. The agreement was reached on Sunday during talks between the Chinese and the Thai leaders on the sidelines of the 21st Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit and related forums, being held in the Indonesian resort island of Bali. In order to achieve the goal, Xi agreed that China will buy more Thai farm produce, including rice, rubber, cassava and fruits, and both countries will jointly set up an agricultural working committee to help solve bilateral trade obstacles. Other major issues discussed during the Chinese-Thai bilateral talks included Beijing's cooperation on the Thai government-sponsored high-speed train and water management mega-projects. The Chinese President also proposed the establishment of a new bank on investment in basic infrastructures in Asia, aimed at promoting connectivity development among countries in the region, in which the Thai prime minister agreed with the idea. Premier Yingluck also asked for China's support for Thailand to contest as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. On October 7, the Thai prime minister is scheduled to discuss with representatives of APEC Business Advisory Council on various issues, including food security, basic infrastructure development and more access to women to participate and to play a greater role in economic administration in the region. The Thai premier is also scheduled to confer with Hong Kong's top administrator and prime ministers of Papua New Guinea and Australia. Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisarn, who accompanied the Thai prime minister at the 21st APEC Summit and related forums, on Sunday held talks with Indonesia’s Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan on problems facing agriculture produce by both countries. The Thai and Indonesian ministers agreed that both countries cooperate on reducing bilateral trade barriers and on buying more agricultural products from each other, as stated in a memorandum of understanding (MOU) earlier signed by Bangkok and Jakarta. (TNA)

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