MANAMA, May 15 — Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Monday hailed her Bahrain visit as successful and voiced satisfaction with her discussions with Bahraini leaders as the two countries were ready to push ahead for food and agricultural products cooperation.
Ms Yingluck who was on an official visit to Bahrain told Thai media that she was received very warmly by the Bahraini side and that her official visit was highly successful. She said Bahrain needed food security and Thailand could send food products to Bahrain and use the country as a centre for goods distribution, particularly of agricultural products such as rice, fruit, and frozen chicken.
Moreover, she said, Thailand’s halal food industry will benefit from this cooperation.
The Thai premier said that Bahrain is interested in renewable energy and there were opportunities for Thailand to cooperate in this field in the future.
Earlier in the day, Ms Yingluck presided over the opening of a conference for Thai and Bahraini businessmen to promote trade and investment between the two countries’ private sectors.
She said she is confident that the Thai and Bahraini governments will support businesses to expand trade and investment in potential industries.
Ms Yingluck added that Thailand and Bahrain have had a cordial relationship for 35 years, mainly in economic and trade cooperation since diplomatic relations were established. The prime minister expressed her appreciation to the Bahraini government in assisting Thailand during the major flood in 2011.
The prime minister assured the private sectors of both countries on business opportunities in Thailand and Bahrain. The business focus included halal industry, agriculture, and food security.
Thailand was pleased to join in various infrastructure projects in Bahrain such as the airport development project, as well as an mobile phone and internet development project, she said, adding that Thailand welcomed Bahraini investment.
Another area of focus would be the connectivity between people, tourism promotion, service industries, as well as the meetings and incentives industries.
Ms Yingluck earlier visited Alfateh Grand Mosque and met with religious leaders. She reiterated that every Thai Muslim is legally equal and has the same political rights and freedom as all Thai people.
