BANGKOK, 18 January 2013 Japan has expressed its interest in Thailand’s basic infrastructure construction plans and the Dawei Special Industrial Zone project.
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, on Thursday, joined Japanese PM Shinzo Abe in a press conference after attending a bilateral meeting.
Both leaders stated that Japanese government and business sector are highly interested in Thailand’s basic infrastructure development projects, from the flood prevention scheme to the high-speed train plan.
Japan also noted that the Dawei Special Industrial Zone project in Myanmar is a key strategic point to connect East Asia with larger markets, such as South Asia, the Middle East and Europe.
PM Yingluck told the media gathering that she has convinced her Japanese counterpart about Thailand’s and Myanmar’s willingness to see the participation of Asia’s second-largest economy in the Dawei project through tripartite cooperation.
In terms of Thai-Japanese economic collaboration, the two nations concurred with an idea to strengthen their strategic partnership and the liberalization of the agricultural sector.
The Thai Premier and the Japanese PM also discussed closer cooperation on Thai SME businesses in Japan and the improvement of the skills of Thai labor for Japan’s industrial sector.
Towards the end of the press conference, Prime Minister Abe has expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome by the Thai government and noted that Thailand is considered a gateway to Southeast Asia, where a large number of Japanese companies are present. He also added that Thailand and Japan will further enhance collaboration in all areas, after 40 years of cordial and strong relations.
