Trade matching with Maldives
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Thai and Maldivian companies will host a business-matching reception to promote trade and investment in various industries, including fisheries, tourism, construction, waste management, and wastewater management.
“Many Thai businessmen have seen more opportunities to do joint ventures with Maldivians. They are hotels, restaurants, spas, construction companies and information technology firms,” Piramol Charoenpao, director-general of the Trade Negotiations Department, said yesterday.
The first Joint Trade Committee (JTC) meeting led by Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom and the Maldivian minister for economic development is scheduled to be held today.
Piramol said the two countries now envision greater cooperation in various areas after Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra made her first visit to Maldives early this month.
The two countries would also tie up in other sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure development, food processing, healthcare and education.
Thailand wants to increase exports to Maldives, while that country wants Thailand’s assistance in developing its SMEs.
The department has a policy to help promote the growth of SMEs and service businesses. Maldives is one of the highest potential markets for Thais service businesses.
The JTC resulted from the Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement signed on June 1.
Maldives is Thailand’s 104th trading partner. Average two-way trade in the past five years was US$40.33 million, growing by 9.07 per cent a year. Last year, shipments from Thailand to Maldives increased 94.4 per cent to $40.51 million.
