Thailand, Canada to jointly fight against human trafficking

BANGKOK, March 23 (TNA) - Thailand and Canada plan to expand bilateral cooperation on energy and the suppression of human trafficking, terrorism and transnational crime and to seal a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA). Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said that she and her Canadian counterpart Stephen Harper, who is paying a three-day official visit to Thailand from March 22-24, discussed on Friday promotion for bilateral trade and investment and the possibility of sealing a Thai-Canandian FTA. Yingluck told journalists that she also invited Canadian business operators to invest in electronic, machine, automobile and information technology or IT industries, as well as clean energy and bio-technology in Thailand. Yingluck revealed that she also discussed the expansion of energy development projects with Canada, as Thailand's PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited has invested in Canada since 2010, and that the visiting Canadian prime minister discussed bilateral cooperation on applying satellite technology to monitor resources and natural disasters. Regarding the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Royal Thai Police and the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Yingluck insisted that Thailand is willing to cooperate with Canada on the suppression of human trafficking, terrorism and transnational crime. As for a bilateral agreement on a youth exchange program, Premier Yingluck acknowledged that it will allow young people of both countries to conveniently visit and work in each other’s country, and that the program will promote cultural exchanges and bilateral relations. According to the Puea Thai premier, Thailand and Canada, both located in the Asian-Pacific region, will also cooperate closely on regional issues of mutual interests, especially on reduction in development gaps and expanding cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Besides, Bangkok and Ottawa will also jointly promote good governance, human rights and democracy. (TNA)