BANGKOK, 3 September 2013 China has agreed to buy 1 million tons of rice from Thailand, while expressing its interest in the Thai rubber industry.
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, during her visit to China, met with China’s Prime Minister Li Keqiang in Nanning, where both PMs agreed to further strengthen their partnership and business ties. China is considered the biggest importer for Thai products and Thailand’s second largest trading partner.
Both parties have agreed to increase their trade value to 100 billion US dollars by the end of 2015 as well as to increase productivity of agricultural products and enhance logistics systems of both nations.
According to PM Li, China is willing to buy 1 million tons of Thai rice, saying he has ordered related agencies to look into the matter. He also expressed his interest in the Thai rubber industry as Thailand has high quality rubber, adding that he will encourage the Chinese private sector to invest in the Thai rubber industry.
PM Li also backed the Thai Premier’s idea to connect Thailand and China through high speed train.
Meanwhile, Miss Yingluck asked Mr. Li for China to take part in Thailand’s solar energy project, while assuring that Thailand will act as a coordinator in connecting the ASEAN region with China.
