Thai PM to visit Japan May 22-24

BANGKOK, May 15 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra will visit Japan from May 22-24, with her itinerary including a tour to Thailand's goods distribution center in the world's second largest economic power. Industry Minister Prasert Boonchaisuk told journalists of Premier Yingluck's schedule, which is her second trip to Japan in two years, after meeting with the new management of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce in Bangkok on Wednesday morning. According to the Thai industry minister, he was also informed by the Japanese delegation, led by Susumu Uneno, President of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce in Bangkok, that Japanese small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) plan to set up their goods distribution center in Thailand and they are ready to bring products of Thai SMEs to their distribution center in Japan. The industry minister said he also discussed with the Japanese delegation on progress of the construction of flood prevention dykes at six industrial estates in Thailand's central Ayutthaya province, acknowledging that the construction has been complete at five industrial estates and he has ordered the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) to speed up the construction at the Saha Rattana Nakorn Industrial Estate, the sixth one. The industry minister revealed that the Japanese Chamber of Commerce's delegation also asked Thailand to allow Japan to export about 200 items of information technology (IT) products to Thailand, instead of 140 items currently. (TNA)