ID :
287708
Sun, 06/02/2013 - 10:54
Auther :

Maldives, Thailand sign trade, investment agreement

MALÉ (The Maldives), June 2 (TNA) - Thailand and the Maldives have signed a trade and investment agreement with the kingdom hopes to export more agricultural products and Halal food to that island country. The agreement was signed on Saturday during an official visit by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, the first by a Thai government leader in 34 years. Miss Yingluck and her accompanying delegates flew to the Maldives after visiting Sri Lanka on Saturday and held talks with President Mohamed Waheed. Two-way trade last year amounted 109.17 million U.S. dollars and Thailand hopes that the agreement which was just signed could bolster bilateral trade. On the investment side, Thailand expects that more private investors would invest in the Maldives, especially in food processing, basic infrastructure and construction, food and services businesses. Miss Yingluck said the Thai government has proposed a three-year Country Programme for the Maldives, starting in 2014, which focuses on agriculture, public health and human resources development. Presently, there are more than 700 Thais staying in the island country, most of them are engaged in service, real estate and basic infrastructure businesses. Both government leaders also discussed human trafficking problem after it was found that many Thai women were lured to the Maldives and engaged in prostitution during the past few years. (TNA)

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