VIENTIANE – Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon for the first time at the ASEAN summit on October 11. Both leaders expressed confidence in achieving a goal of tripling trade between the two countries by 2026, as part of their strategic partnership.
Jirayu Huangsap, spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, reported that the leaders discussed various topics, particularly focused on enhancing the business environment for investment. Luxon praised Thailand’s role in attracting investments like Google’s Data Center and Cloud systems, recognizing Thailand’s potential as a key hub for modern technology development. New Zealand expressed interest in investing in advanced technology and renewable energy.
Luxon also commended Thailand’s progress in agricultural innovation, particularly through its Smart Farming initiatives. Both nations agreed on exchanging knowledge and experience to further develop agricultural practices. Additionally, they discussed expanding educational cooperation through student exchange programs and explored the possibility of opening direct flights between Thailand and New Zealand.
Jirayu noted that despite it being their first meeting, the conversation was friendly, covering other topics like tourism, reflecting the close and positive relationship between Thailand and New Zealand. (PRD)
