Thailand to be first destination for Bahrain’s overseas investment

BAHRAIN, May 14 (TNA) - May Thai Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said Monday that the King of Bahrain was pleased with Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's ongoing visit his country and announced that Thailand would be the first country Bahrain would then develop investment and trade partnership. Accompanying Premier Yingluck for her official visit to Bahrain from May 13-15, Surapong told journalists that the Thai premier was granted an audience with the King of Bahrain, during which the King said that he was pleased with her visit because Thailand and Bahrain have developed close ties for a long time, particularly when former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra previously stayed in Bahrain. The Bahrain King said that during Premier Yingluck's ongoing trip to Bahrain, her Bahraini counterpart H.H. Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa will bring her to places by himself. According to the Thai foreign minister, the King of Bahrain has confirmed that Thailand will be the first priority country when it comes to Bahrain’s overseas investment and trade, acknowledging that Bahraini investors are interested in health-oriented and spa businesses in Thailand. The Thai foreign minister noted that apart from trade issues, the Thai prime minister plans to discuss Thai government bonds which the Bahraini government is ready to support to benefit Thailand's financial and banking businesses, and that wealthy Bahraini investors appear to be ready to do businesses in the Thai economy and the Thai premier's current trip to Bahrain should create more trade and investment opportunities for both Thai and Bahraine business operators. (TNA)