Thailand, Cambodia agree to increase trade, tourism

BANGKOK, Dec 19 (TNA) -- Cambodia and Thailand, both members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), have agreed to increase trade and investment value thrice in the next five years while the two neighbouring countries may join in tourism cooperation to promote regional tourism industry as the ASEAN Community (AC) is about to be implemented. The two countries are celebrating their 65th anniversary of an establishment of diplomatic relations as the Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen is paying a two-day official visit to Thailand, said a Thai deputy government spokesman. Prime Minister Hun Sen arrived in Bangkok on Friday and held talks with his Thai counterpart General Prayut Chan-ocha. Both sides agreed to boost bilateral trade now totaling about five billion US dollars annually thrice in the next five years. Gen Prayut also invited Mr Hun Sen to jointly promote tourism at a regional level by entering in a package tour or long stay. He asked Cambodia to share water resources which would benefit energy security of the two countries, said the deputy government spokesman. The two prime ministers are schedued on Saturday to witness the signing of four documents including a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the development of cross-border control facilities, the construction of a border bridge and access roads at Ban Nong Ian in Aranyaprathet district and Stung Bot in Cambodia’s Banteay Meancheay province. The signing of an MoU on labour cooperation—as a framework for technical cooperation, labor skill development and employment. Another agreement was on workers’ employment—for efficiency and transparency of employment, and for eradication of illegal employment and human trafficking. Mr Hun Sen, according to the deputy government spokesman, told Gen Prayuth that he would personally welcome Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn during her planned official visit to Cambodia next February to preside over the laying of stone foundation for the construction of a technology institution and to also inspect her projects. Mr Hun Sen and accompanying Cambodian ministers are scheduled to return home Saturday. (TNA)