Thai PM visits Sweden, Belgium March 4-7

BANGKOK, March 4 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is paying a four-day official visit to Sweden and Belgium from March 4-7, aimed mainly to explore more trade and investment opportunities in Europe, especially in the sectors of agriculture, fashion, renewable energy and Thai traditional medical services. Yingluck, who has already arrived in Sweden, told journalists prior to her departure from Thailand's main Suvarnabhumi International Airport on early Monday morning that she also plans to discuss an extended free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU) to expand bilateral trade and investment between the Thai economy and the huge single European economy, as the 27-member EU bloc views Thailand as an important trading partner which can facilitate its trade and investment expansion in the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), in which Thailand is a key member state. The Thai premier said she foresees as well tourism opportunities in Europe, as Thailand is a popular destination of Swedish and Belgian travellers; while Thai tourists also like to visit Sweden and Belgium. During her trip, Thai authorities will organize fairs to promote Thai fragrant or Hom Mali rice before its geographical indication (GI) is registered, a move viewed as a further success of Thailand, after the Kingdom's Doi Tung and Doi Chaang coffee earlier secured the globally-recognized GI registration. The Thai prime minister is also scheduled to be granted audiences with Their Majesties the King and the Queen of Sweden and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Philippe of Belgium, during which she will inform that His Royal Highness Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn of Thailand is ready to welcome the Crown Prince of Belgium during his official trip to Thailand later this month, starting from March 22. (TNA)