Don urges cross-border trade boost

NAY PYI TAW: Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai has urged the Thai-Myanmar joint trade commission to hold its next meeting soon to help both countries reach their target of doubling bilateral trade volume by 2022.

Mr Don urged the Myanmar side to convene the 8th Joint Trade Commission meeting as quickly as possible to find ways to facilitate trade and investment, especially in border areas, which account for 80% of overall trade between the two countries.

To that end, he called on the governors of 10 provinces along the Thai-Myanmar border to hold regular meetings with their Myanmar counterparts, before adding that Thailand and Myanmar are planning to open new checkpoints, and other supporting infrastructure projects along the border.

This includes the Second Thailand-Myanmar Friendship bridge and border facilities across the Moei River, which is scheduled to open by the end of this year.

Thailand is one of Myanmar’s biggest trading partners, with bilateral trade value reaching US$6.8 billion (223.4 billion baht) in 2017.

During the 9th Meeting of the Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation between Thailand and Myanmar (JC-9) held yesterday, Mr Don and Myanmar’s Union Minister for International Cooperation Kyaw Tin signed the Thailand-Myanmar Air Services Agreement, which aims to boost trade and tourism between the two countries.

Both ministers also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on a project on the development of shrimp farming.

The meeting, which aims to enhance relations in all aspects, saw both sides agreeing to enhance bilateral relations to that of “Natural Strategic Partnership” level, with more cooperation to come.

Mr Don reaffirmed Thailand’s support for Myanmar’s peace process and reconciliation, before making a courtesy call on Myanmar’s State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi.

The meeting also marked the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Myanmar and Thailand.

Ms Suu Kyi said that Thailand has always been an important regional partner and expressed her appreciation for the continued assistance provided by Thailand to Myanmar, as well as Thailand’s support for Myanmar’s national reconciliation and development.

The next JC meeting is scheduled to be held in Thailand next year.

Thailand is the first country that the current government in Nay Pyi Taw has held such meetings with.