Thailand woos German train makers.

Meeting with Philipp Rosler, Germany's Federal Minister of Economics and Technology, yesterday, Jarupong said that he said that all state railway agencies should put up train purchases in one lot, to increase the bargaining power. He noted that the Transport Ministry is in the process to complete 10 electric train routes, which should require about 800 train carriages. A single bid should be opened for the supply of the train carriage, which should encourage a train maker to produce the carriages here and transfer technology to Thais.

"The German showed interest in this," he said.

Aside from the train issue, both also discussed on protection on German companies operating in Thailand particularly those in the automotive sector. Rosler expressed his concern over the assembling of German vehicles in Thailand, which are threatening the profitability of German companies which legally imported completely-built units.

Rosler yesterday also paid respect to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra at the Government House, the visit which marked the 150th anniversary of Thai-German relationship. He also attended the third Thai-German economic council meeting, attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong. Issues to be discussed by the council involve energy and food security. During the meeting with Yingluck, Rosler also affirmed commitment to strengthen Germany's relationship with Thailand and Asean, commenting that Thailand has potential to become a regional logistics hub.

Yingluck, who visited Germany in July, also pressed for the dispatch of Germany's food experts to Thailand to improve the country's food safety standards. She also extended invitation to German companies to invest in green and alternative energy, as well as infrastructure projects.