Bahrain, Thailand for stronger ties

Manama : Bahrain and Thailand yesterday established a framework for expanding bilateral trade, investment and economic cooperation. 

A total of 26 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) were signed between the Kingdom and Thailand in a meeting held at the Gudaibiya Palace in the presence of His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha.

The two countries also decided to boost cooperation across sectors including agriculture, public health, education, tourism, transportation and to promote joint ventures between private sectors. Decisions were also taken to reinforce coordination on regional and global developments in international forums.

A statement issued following the meeting said that Foreign ministers of both countries were assigned to follow up the work of the joint supreme committee, which will be held soon.  

Relevant ministers were also commissioned to activate the signed agreements, memoranda of understanding and executive programmes totalling 26. 

Other major decisions taken include the amendments of a number of articles regarding avoidance of double taxation between Bahrain and Thailand. The deal was signed by Foreign Affairs Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa and Thai Foreign Affairs Minister Don Pramudwinai. 

On agricultural cooperation, an MoU was signed by Minister Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning, Essam Khalaf and Minister of Agriculture and Cooperative, General Chatchai Sarikulya. 

On Education, the University of Bahrain and Prince of Songkla University signed an MoU in the presence of Dr. Riyadh Yusuf Hamza and Dr. Chusak Limsakul. 

The meeting was followed by a lunch banquet hosted by the Prime Minister in honour of the Thai Prime Minister and the accompanying delegation. A number of senior Bahraini officials were also present.

Earlier, during a reception held at the Gudaibiya place for General Prayut Chan-o-cha, the Prime Minister urged the Gulf Cooperation Council nations to strengthen ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) states.  

“This would help consolidate security and stability, build bridges of cooperation and coordination and push GCC-Asian relations forward,” stressed the Prime Minister, expressing his desire to consolidating trade and investment cooperation, particularly food security. 

The Thai leader congratulated HRH the Premier on being conferred the Arab League’s Development Shield Work, hailing Bahrain’s landmark strides in all fields. 

“The Kingdom of Bahrain is the closest friend to Thailand in the region”, Chan-o-cha said, commending the Premier’s directives which strengthened joint ties.