Thai PM officially visits New Zealand, Papua New Guinea March 21-25

BANGKOK, March 21 (TNA) - Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is paying her official visits to New Zealand and Papua New Guinea from March 21-25 to boost bilateral relations between Thailand and the two allied countries and to promote the Kingdom’s leadership in Southeast Asia, covering developing confidence in the national political stability and economic growth. Accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul, Minister Attached to the Prime Minister’s Office Niwatthamrong Bunsongphaisan, Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom, Energy Minister Pongsak Raktapongpaisal, Science and Technology Minister Woravat Au-apinyakul and leading Thai business persons in energy, green business, heath tourism, construction, education and food sectors, Yingluck is visiting New Zealand from March 21-24,as invited by her New Zealand counterpart John Key. It represents the first official visit of the Thai prime minister to New Zealand in nine years and the Thai premier, thus, intends to boost bilateral relations, which have continued for 57 years. In her talks with her New Zealand counterpart, the Thai prime minister plans to discuss cooperation on Thailand's economic development and enhancement of competitiveness, especially in sciences and agricultural and food management, as well as issues under the Thailand-New Zealand Closer Economic Partnership (NCZCEP), educational and tourism cooperation, the promotion of Thai labor in New Zealand, the filming industry and regional cooperation. Premier Yingluck and Thai business persons will then inspect eco-tourism management and agricultural technologies and visit the milk cow farm and factory of Fonterra, New Zealand's largest dairy product manufacturer. Besides, Auckland University of Technology will present an honorary doctorate to the Thai prime minister for being well recognized by the international community and being the first elected female prime minister of Thailand. The Thai prime minister will then be in Papua New Guinea on March 24-25 as invited by her Papua New Guinean counterpart Peter O’Niell. It will also be the first official visit of the Thai prime minister to the country and the beginning of Thailand’s development of relations with the South Pacific archipelagic nation, in which Thailand eyes to expand its exports of consumer products. Papua New Guinea possesses plenty of natural resources and is the largest economy in the South Pacific region, but the country needs more investment in infrastructure development projects, providing a good opportunity for Thai business operators. (TNA)