BANGKOK, Feb 16 – Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin proposed to strengthen trade and investment cooperation through Thailand-Australia Free Trade Agreement (TAFTA).
Government Spokesperson Chai Wacharonke said the proposal was raised during a bilateral meeting with Governor-General of Australia David Hurley in Bangkok on Thursday.
He said Srettha extended his invitation for Australian investors to consider making investment in Thailand in the fields of smart technology and green energy, particularly in the Land Bridge project.
On tourism cooperation, Chai said Srettha proposed Thailand and Australia consider negotiation on mutual visa exemption.
“The prime minister also invited Australian travelers to experience Thailand’s healthcare tourism. He also emphasized the government’s commitment to continue implementing tourism measures to ensure safety of the tourists and facilitate their stay in Thailand,” he said in a statement Thursday.
Hurley is on a five-day official visit to Bangkok starting Feb 13 to 17, as guest of the Thai Government.
On economic cooperation, Chai said the prime minister was of the view that the two countries enhance cooperation in food security which is the field of mutual potential, and which is also in line with the current geopolitical situation.
Chai said Srettha and Hurley agreed to strengthen cooperation on the responses to climate change, especially an exchange of good practices, energy transition, and promotion of clean energy and Electric Vehicles (EVs), in a bid to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.
“The two leaders were also pleased with close military cooperation as part of the defense cooperation under strategic partnership, which includes joint military exercises, training, and exchange of personnel,” he said.
Meanwhile, Hurley agreed that the attendance at the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit of the Prime Minister and the Thai private sector delegation would be a good opportunity to promote investment cooperation between private sector of the two countries.
