Hong Kong invited to set up its trade office in Thailand

BANGKOK, Aug 4 (TNA) -- The government was pushing for an ASEAN-Hong Kong free trade agreement and inviting Hong Kong to open its trade office in Thailand, Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak said. Thailand extended the invitation during a meeting of Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam and Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. Hong Kong was developing positive attitude towards investment atmosphere in Thailand and its executives were set to have discussions with Thai authorities on the whole day, Mr Somkid said. Regarding Hong Kong’s confidence, the prime minister thus invited it to establish the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Thailand. The prime minister viewed that Thailand could learn from Hong Kong the protection of electric train services from natural disasters. Besides, Mr Somkid said, Thailand wanted an ASEAN-Hong Kong free trade agreement to cover more than tariff privileges. Hong Kong wanted Thailand, as the center of neighboring countries, to use Hong Kong as a trade gateway to China. Hong Kong was a trade, financial and economic center of Asia and the world and an important connection in the One Belt One Road policy of China, Mr Somkid said. Hong Kong is already a gateway of Thai trade and investment in China. Thailand is an investment base of China. Hong Kong’s stock exchange is the 4th biggest in Asia and the 8th biggest of the world. Its financial technology center is the 5th biggest of the world. Thailand wants to develop cooperation with Hong Kong on economic affairs, trade, investment, tourism, the development of small and medium-sized enterprises and human resource development. Thailand is inviting Hong Kong to invest in its Eastern Economic Corridor. (TNA)