PM and Bahrainis sign trade, investment agreements
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Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Monday held bilateral talks with her Bahraini counterpart and witnessed the signing of three Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to boost trade and investment between the two countries.
The Thai premier is currently on a three-day official visit to the Gulf country. On the second day of the trip, Yingluck attended an official welcoming ceremony hosted by the Bahraini government and held talks with Prince Kalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister of Bahrain.
On this occasion, the Thai premier thanked the Bahraini government, which as a member of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has supported Thailand's approach in resolving the violence in the deep south.
A high level representative delegation of the OIC led by Ambassador Sayed Kassem El-Masry, a top advisor to the OIC chief, last week visited Thailand’s southernmost province of Yala and was briefed by the Thai authorities on Thailand’s responses to the violence in the region.
He said he will report on the situation to OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu as he believes violence in the southernmost provinces was not related to religious differences but a normal problem for a country with a minority population.
Both leaders also discussed construction projects, particularly the expansion of Bahrain's international airport, as the Thai private sector would like to play a role in the Gulf state's property industry development.
Food security was also been raised during the talks, with both countries agreeing to accelerate the agreement and framework on trade, investment, as well as research and development on agriculture and halal food.
Regarding the cooperation on medical tourism, Thailand has approved the extension of stay in the kingdom for Bahrainis to the maximum 30 days without a previously issued visa.
After their discussions, Yingluck and Prince Kalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa witnessed the signing of three MoUs on cooperation on tourism, culture and food security, and trade and investment on agricultural products.
Yingluck arrived in Bahrain on Sunday and was granted an audience with HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince of Bahrain at the Al Rowdah Palace.
Bahrain is considered the closest friend of Thailand in the Middle East and has played the role of bridge builder, connecting Thailand to the Middle East.
