Thai DPMs visit Russia, Belarus

BANGKOK, February 23 (TNA) - Deputy Premiers General Prawit Wongsuwan and Somkid Jatusripitak are leading a Thai business delegation to visit Russia and Belarus during February 23-26, aimed at exploring ways to expand Thailand's trade and investment with the two countries. Commerce Minister Apiradi Tantraporn, who is also accompanying the deputy premiers during his ongoing trip, told journalists before the departure of the Thai delegation on Tuesday that the four-day trip paves the way for Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha's scheduled visit to Russia during May 18-19, 2016 to attend the Russia-ASEAN Summit, marking the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Russian-ASEAN partnership. "The two Thai deputy premiers are leading a group of some 60 Thai private business operators to hold talks with their counterparts in Russia on expanding their trade and investment plans, as well as on lowering barriers for bilateral business expansion", said the Thai commerce minister. According to the commerce minister, the Thai deputy premiers will also take the opportunity to discuss the possibility of holding negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA) between Thailand and the Eurosian Economic Union (EEU), comprising Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan, where there are a total of about 180 million consumers. The commerce minister noted that Russia has encouraged Thailand to hold talks on the Thai-EEU FTA, as it is believed to be beneficial to both sides in terms of expanding trade and investment in the future if such the FTA would be concluded. (TNA)