Thai PM informs Japan of post-flood rehabilitation

JAPAN, March 7 (TNA) - Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has informed the Japanese government of post-flood rehabilitation in Thailand to restore Japanese investors’ confidence. The development happened during Yingluck’s official visit to Japan, set from March 6-10, when she was scheduled to present to the Tokyo authorities sustainable flood prevention measures and privileges for Japanese industries and investment projects in Thailand. Wednesday morning, Yingluck discussed the topics with Yukio Edano, Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, explaining the Thai government's immediate and long-term flood rehabilitation plans and the establishment of particular organizations to manage water resources and water information. According to the Thai premier, the plans and the establishment will be completed within this month. Besides, the Thai government has obtained parliamentary approval for the borrowing of 350 billion baht to pay for long-term water management systems in river basins. Minister Edano expressed his gratitude toward the Thai government for helping Japanese business persons cope with flooding in Thailand late last year, confirming that the Japanese government will support the Thai government's flood prevention plans and boost bilateral trade; while Japanese firms will maintain their production bases in Thailand. The Thai prime minister was also scheduled to meet Japanese business authorities, including Shosaku Yasui, governor of Japan Finance Corporation, as well as major Japanese tour operators. At noon, the Japan Business Federation hosted a lunch for Premier Yingluck and her entourage. Then the chair of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry met the prime minister and she opened a meeting of Thai and Japanese business operators. In the afternoon, students of Gakushuin University were scheduled to meet Premier Yingluck to thank the Thai government for helping earthquake and tsunami victims in Japan. Thai students in Japan were also scheduled to also meet the Thai prime minister. The Pheu Thai premier is scheduled to later attend a full-panel meeting with her Japanese counterpart Yoshihiko Noda this evening to boost bilateral relations and partnerships, after which the Thai and Japanese leaders will hold a press conference to announce bilateral cooperation and the Japanese prime minister will host a dinner for the Thai premier and her entourage. (TNA)