PH, Thailand pep up trade ties

A TOAST FOR STRONGER TIES President Aquino offers a toast to Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva at the state banquet tendered by the latter at the Outer Santi Maitri building on Thursday. Mr. Aquino embarked on a two-day visit to the kingdom aimed at further strengthening the Philippines’ relations with Thailand and at expanding cooperation within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. MALACAÑANG PHOTO

BANGKOK—President Benigno Aquino III arrived yesterday evening from a two-day state visit to Thailand, reporting that expanded business ties between the two countries could be expected.

The President also expressed relief that Typhoon “Chedeng” veered away from the country, although noting that two deaths were attributed to the weather disturbance. “I hope there will be no more,” he added.

Before leaving Thailand, Mr. Aquino and Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva announced the activation of three trade bodies to facilitate better business partnerships and cooperation between the two countries.

In a joint news briefing after hour–long bilateral talks on Thursday night, Abhisit said he and President Aquino had agreed to revive the 5th Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) “after a four-year hiatus.”

The meeting between the two heads of state at the Government House, Thailand’s seat of political power, highlighted Mr. Aquino’s two–day state visit here.

Shared commitment

“(President Aquino’s) visit has reaffirmed the close friendship and cordial relations between our two countries, as well as our shared commitment to further expand our bilateral cooperation in a wide range of areas,” Abhisit said in his speech.

“Our warm and friendly relations are based on mutual respect and trust,” he added.

The Thai prime minister said the trade body would help concerned government agencies discuss ways to enhance trade relations and work together to spur economic development in both countries.

An Oxford-educated economist, Abhisit said the joint panel would hold its first meeting in the Philippines in August.

“The JCBC will be a forum to review ongoing cooperation, to plan future actions and to explore new opportunities in every dimension of cooperation,” he said.

Abhisit also disclosed the convening of a second body, the Joint Trade Committee to allow both governments to “further discuss in a comprehensive manner the issues pertaining to trade and investment between Thailand and the Philippines.”

A third body to be formed is a Joint Working Group on Energy “since the two governments believe that the energy sector offers tremendous opportunities” for both Thai and Filipino businesses, Abhisit said.

For his part, Mr. Aquino thanked Abhisit and the Thai government for facilitating improved economic relations with the Philippines.

In his speech, Mr. Aquino said he recognized Thailand’s role as an important partner and one that shares the country’s democratic ideals.

“These shared values make Thailand an important partner … When we have issues with other countries, Thailand will stand with us just as we will stand with (Thailand),” he said.

Transnational crimes

He said he also invited Thai businessmen to invest in the Philippines through the Public-Private Partnership program of his government.

According to Mr. Aquino, the two countries also discussed the importance of unifying efforts to stop transnational crimes such as drug trafficking, promote agricultural development and share best practices in disaster response.

“We also discussed cooperation in education because many of the Filipinos in Thailand are teachers,” he said.

In the coming months, he said there would also be closer cooperation between the two countries’ in presenting candidates for regional and multilateral fora, “bearing in mind that our two countries come from the same region of the world.” With Norman Bordadora