A business mission to Tokyo last week has seen Thailand’s government seek stronger economic ties with Japan in order to boost two-way investment.
Thai commerce minister general Chatchai Sarikulya was part of the mission that resulted in a move towards cooperation in agriculture and manufacturing and sharing technology.
“Thailand and Japan agreed to expand trade and investment for both sides for mutual benefit in all dimensions,” Chatchai told Thai new site The Nation. “Thailand will no longer be only a receiver of Japanese investment, but will also actively trade with and invest more in Japan. Japan will also continue to invest and trade more with the Kingdom, as Thailand is considered Japan’s second home and a springboard to third countries.”
As part of the business mission Chatchai met with Japanese agricultural ministers who expressed opportunities to share technology and knowledge to improve Thailand’s agricultural industry.
'The [Thai] government will learn to adopt Japanese farmers' methods of strengthening local cooperatives so that farmers will not need to rely on government subsidies, while farm goods will see stable prices and stable demand,' Chatchai said.
Japan has announced it will invest in Thailand’s high-speed rail development across its north, east and central regions from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, as well as organise trade missions to Thailand to explore investment opportunities.
