Thai DPM joins JBC, JC meetings in Laos

VIENTIANE, January 23 (TNA) - Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister General Tanasak Patimaprakorn has arrived in Laos to attend the 10th Thai-Lao Joint Border Commission (JBC) Meeting and the 19th Thai-Lao Joint Commission (JC) Meeting from January 23-24, held in Vientiane, the neighbouring country's capital. The Thai deputy prime minister and foreign minister first held an informal meeting with his Lao counterpart Thongloun Sisoulith on Friday afternoon, before attending the opening session of the 10th Thai-Lao JBC at the International Cooperation and Training Centre (ICTC) in Vientiane. For the 19th Thai-Lao JC Meeting, its top agenda include bilateral cooperation on the development of areas along the common border, covering special border economic zones, transport networks and connectivity in the region, covering rail services linking Thailand and Laos with China, capital mobilisation by Lao investors on the Thai bourse and upgrade of the Lao capital market, covering mutual relevant technical support and support on the privatisation of state enterprises, and bilateral labour cooperation, covering nationality verifications of Lao migrant workers in Thailand and the issuance of a smart card for the Lao workers. Besides, discussions at the 19th JC Meeting include a conceptual idea on organising joint activities to mark the Decade of Thai- Lao People's Relations. (TNA)