Thai PM to visit Tajikistan, Pakistan

BANGKOK, Aug 18 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra will pay a three-day official visits to Tajikistan and Pakistan, starting Monday (Aug 19), aimed at strengthening relations and widening trade and investment activities between Thailand and those two countries. Miss Yingluck, also Defence Minister, told journalists that she will be visiting Tajikistan at the invitation of President Emomali Rahmon, who had attended a summit on water cooperation hosted by Thailand in May this year. The visit to Tajikistan will help boost bilateral relations as well as enhancing trade, she said. Combined trade last year totaled only 5.41 million U.S. dollars. Thailand’s exports totaled 1.53 million US dollars while imports were valued at 3.88 million US dollars. During her visit, both sides are expected to sign an exemption of visa for diplomatic and official passports. Miss Yingluck said her visit to Pakistan is aimed at strengthening economic relations as well as promoting bilateral trade and investment. Two-way trade between Pakistan and Thailand last year totaled 982.61 million US dollars. Thailand has always enjoyed trade surplus. The prime minister said several memoranda of understanding will be signed with Pakistani government during her visit. They include visa exemption for diplomatic passport holders, a setting up of Thai-Pakistani trade joint committee and the formation of a Thai-Pakistani business council. Thai businessmen engaging in energy, jewelry, construction, automobile, tourism, food and agricultural products businesses will accompany the prime minister. (TNA)