Thailand, Pakistan agree to foster ties

Thailand and Pakistan have agreed to promote bilateral trade, cooperation and investment.

Thailand's Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra arrived in Islamabad Tuesday for an official visit to reinforce amicable relations with Pakistan's newly-elected government and build a strong economic partnership between the two nations, Xinhua reported citing the Thai News Agency.

This marks the first official visit of a Thai prime minister to Pakistan since 2002, and reaffirms over six decades of bilateral relations between the two nations.

Following the official welcoming ceremony, Yingluck met the Thai private sector to learn about their experiences and challenges as well as to discuss opportunities in trade and investment in Pakistan.

Yingluck later met Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to discuss bilateral cooperation to strengthen Thai-Pakistani trade and investment relations, multilateral cooperation and other issues of mutual interest.

The two leaders witnessed the signing of three documents including a visa exemption agreement for diplomats, and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) on setting up a joint trade committee and a joint business council.

Yingluck is accompanied by 25 representatives from the Thai private sector's potential business areas such as food and agricultural products, energy and alternative energy, gems and jewelleries, hospitals and medicine, tourism, and construction.

The Thai visitors met and paired with their Pakistani counterparts to strengthen their business network and explore trade and investment opportunities.

Yingluck is returning to Bangkok Wednesday.