Thailand can be a gateway to SE Asia for Bangladesh: Thai minister

Thailand's Minister for Economic Reforms and Investment Dr Kobsak Pootrakool today said Thailand can be the gateway to Southeast Asia for Bangladesh and vice-versa.

He made the remarks during his visit to Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) office in the city.

BEZA Executive Chairman Paban Chowdhury received the minister and Thai business delegation at its office. They took a great interest in the incentives and offerings of the BEZA saying BEZA offers immense opportunity to invest.

Considering Bangladesh as an attractive investment destination, the Thai minister agreed to consider a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between BEZA and Thai Industrial Promotion Unit proposed by Bangladesh.

The Thai minister is leading a high-profile 30-member business and investment delegation to Bangladesh.

This is the largest ever Thai business delegation to Bangladesh including Secretary General of Thailand Board of Investment and high officials from Royal Thai Government which will explore new areas of cooperation until May 4.

Commissioned under the political directives of Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan o-cha, the official visit by Dr Kobsak, minister attached to Thai Prime Minister's office, is being considered politically most significant in the trade and economic relations between the two Bay of Bengal countries indicating Thailand's new economic interests in the Bangladesh market.

During his visit, the Thai minister and his large entourage will be visiting few industries and special economic zones organised by Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) and Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) to explore potential areas of upcoming Thai investments.

The high-powered business and investment delegation will also attend business dialogues and business matchmaking with Bangladeshi businessmen organized by Apex business body FBCCI and the Bangladesh-Thai Chamber of Commerce Industry (BTCCI) to explore possible new product lines for exports and Thai investment in Bangladesh.

Apart from the business and investment engagement, Thai Minister Pootrakool will make courtesy calls on Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali and State Minister for Finance and Planning MA Mannan during the visit.

Terming the above visit as historic in trade and economic relations between Bangladesh and Thailand Bangladesh Ambassador to Thailand Saida Muna Tasneem has said the Royal Thai Government is taking a renewed interest to strengthen economic, trade and connectivity relations with Bangladesh.

This is the largest ever trade and investment delegation from Thailand in the history of the two counties' bilateral relations and reflective of a new dynamic era in relations between the two BIMSTEC governments following successful high-level meetings in Dhaka last year including 7th Joint Commission between Foreign Ministers and 4th Joint Trade Committee meeting between Commerce Minister of the two countries in Dhaka, she added.

Dr Kobsak Pootrakool looks after economic reform, National Board of Development and economic zones and Board of Investment under the direct guidance of Thai Prime Minister Chan-o-cha and has in his agenda a Free Trade Agreement, Coastal Shipping MOU and road connectivity with Bangladesh.