Thailand to set up product distribution center in UAE

BANGKOK, October 3 (TNA) - Thailand plans to set up a product distribution center in the United Arab Emirates (UAE); while further developing its halal standards to meet those commonly recognized in the Muslim World. The plans were discussed at a meeting in Bangkok Wednesday between Thai Industry Minister M.R. Pongsvas Svasti and visiting UAE Foreign Trade Minister Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, during which UAE Ambassador to Thailand Mohammed Ali Ahmed Omran Al Shamsi also attended. M.R. Pongsvas told reporters after the meeting that his talks with the UAE authorities were aimed at further boosting sound and longstanding relations between Thailand and the UAE, and that the UAE side took the opportunity to invite Thai industry and commerce ministers to visit the Gulf state next year to attend its Annual Investment Forum, in which leaders of over 30 countries in the Middle East, Africa and Asia normally participate. According to the Thai industry minister, both sides also discussed cooperation on the petrochemical industry, as the UAE’s petrochemical industry is known as the biggest in the world; so, the Plastics Institute of Thailand want to promote the cooperation, as the petrochemical industry is an upstream industry for plastic production and the Plastics Institute of Thailand plans to develop the Kingdom into an major production base of bioplastics in Southeast Asia. The Thai industry minister acknowledged that the UAE agreed to send its officials to discuss the planned bilateral cooperation in details later. Besides, the industry minister said that the UAE asked Thailand to help develop its health services, as Thailand is experienced in this area and is a leading health service provider in Southeast Asia, witnessed by most Arabs have sought Thai health services, and that the UAE also discussed food security, as Thailand is a world major food exporter. Meanwhile, the UAE authorities are scheduled to meet the Thai commerce minister in the capital Thursday, during which Thailand's planned opening of a product distribution center in the UAE is expected to be raised, among other issues. (TNA)