Thailand-Mozambique to boost bilateral cooperation in several areas

BANGKOK, May 10 (TNA) - Thailand and Mozambique have agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation in several areas, particularly in food and energy security. Thai Deputy Prime Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul told journalists on Friday of the agreement, after meeting with Mozambican Minister of Foreign Affairs Oldemiro Balói, who is paying an official to Thailand this week. Surapong, who is also Thai Foreign Minister, said that he discussed with his Mozambican counterpart on bilateral cooperation between Thailand and Mozambique on the several areas with mutual interest and reached the agreement. Surapong acknowledged that Mozambique is keen to learn from Thailand’s growing gems and jewelry industry and wants the Kingdom to be the African nation’s food source; while Thailand is interested in energy, oil and fishery and wants Mozambique to be the Kingdom’s energy source. According to the Thai deputy premier, Bangkok will organize an event to mark "Thailand-Africa Day" late this year, in which all African leaders, including those from Mozambique, will be invited to take part to discuss cooperation between Thailand and the African region. Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is, meanwhile, scheduled to pay an official visit to Mozambique in late July 2013 and some agreed issues are, therefore, needed to be concluded prior to her departure, namely personnel training programs and facilitations for investors, including taxes and visa. (TNA)