Lubna Al Qasimi concludes Thailand Visit - meets with country's Prime Minister

Abu Dhabi, Oct 7, 2012 (WAM) - Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of Foreign Trade, has concluded her official visit to the Kingdom of Thailand with a meeting with the country's Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra at the Government's Headquarters in Bangkok. The meeting was also attended by Mohammad Ali Omran Al Shamsi, UAE Ambassador to Thailand, and the delegation accompanying Sheikha Lubna . The Thai Premier welcomed the UAE delegation's visit, saying that it will contribute towards strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries, especially in economics and commerce. Shinawatra added that the visit will push towards allowing relations between the two countries reach new heights, stressing on the importance of the bilateral partnership the two countries enjoy. She also underlined the importance of the regional partnership that exists between the GCC and the ASEAN group of countries. During the meeting, Sheikha Lubna conveyed the UAE Government's greetings to the Thai Government, and discussed the results of the bilateral meetings she held during her visit with Ministers and members of the Thai private sector. The Thai Prime Minister commended the UAE's efforts that have led to it becoming an important trade hub, adding that her country was proud of its unique relationship with the United Arab Emirates, especially in trade, which has provided Thai products with access to Middle Eastern markets. She also underlined her government's commitment to supporting these ties and developing them further through strengthening the role the public and private sectors of both countries play in this regard, pointing out to the many existing areas of cooperation between the UAE and Thailand, especially in the agriculture, services, tourism, and healthcare sectors. Sheikha Lubna also affirmed the UAE private sector's interest in the opportunities that are available in Thailand, as was partially expressed by her accompanying trade delegation. She also underlined the importance of working closely with the Thai Minister of Commerce in utilising available opportunities between the two countries and working on eliminating obstacles facing investors from both sides. Lubna stated that there are plenty of opportunities for the spread of Thai commodities and products, especially rice, through the UAE, which is considered the world's chief rice re-exporter. Ambassador Al Shamsi said that the number of UAE nationals visiting Thailand for tourism or medical treatment is constantly on the rise as a result of the country's good international reputation in both fields. He added that around 108 thousand Emiratis visited Thailand in 2011 and that he expects this number to grow even more over the coming years. – Emirates News Agency, WAM