Bangkok: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is yearning to maintain excellent relation with Thailand in various areas for the development of Pakistan.
Addressing a news conference along with his Thai counterpart Yingluck Shinawatra, he said ‘Vision East Asia’ was an important component of Pakistan’s policy that complemented Thailand’s ‘Look West Policy’.
Since the time of Gandhara civilization Pakistan and Thailand share common cultural associations.
“Traditionally, our bilateral relations have always been most cordial and Pakistan desires to comprehensively upgrade these relations in all areas of cooperation.”
He said he had comprehensive discussions with Prime Minister Shinawatra on a full range of issues which covered wide areas, including collaboration in trade and investment, infrastructure development, science and technology, defence, education and tourism.
According to Prime Minister Sharif economic and trade relations are a soaring main concern.
He further added that Pakistan and Thailand had imperative monetary complementarities, particularly vast domestic and extended neighborhood markets and unique geographical locations to build a strong partnership.
He said bilateral trade had already crossed $1 billion and efforts would be made to double the figure in five years.
But Pakistan’s growth in investment had been steady over the past few years.
He said that Pakistan has offered attractive investment opportunities.
“We have invited Thai private businesses to invest in Pakistan in various sectors, including infrastructure development, energy, auto parts manufacturing, food processing, packaging, gems and jewellery as well as tourism industry.”
He said Pakistan would extend all facilities to Thai investors.
To maintain good relationship among both the countries people, tourism should be promoted and practiced.
“We hope people of Thailand would also visit Pakistan to get an insight into the ancient Gandhara Civilization which is the foundation of their faith and spiritualism.”
He said he was pleased to be in Bangkok to attend the Connect Asia Pacific Summit and to hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Shinawatra.
The Thai prime minister said her country wanted to promote trade and investment links with Pakistan.
According to her Thai private companies would be eager to make investment in Pakistan’s energy sector.
