Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Thailand Sarun Charoensuwan said there is vast potential to increase economic cooperation with Sri Lanka and expressed confidence that Thai investments will enter new areas such as agriculture, energy, mines and minerals and information technology.
He said this when he called on Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at the Temple Trees today (Aug 28) with senior foreign ministry officials and a trade and investment delegation.
He said Sri Lanka has made a remarkable recovery from the economic crisis within a short span of one year. He discussed with the Prime minister about bilateral relations, ongoing cooperation, trade & investment, culture and tourism.
The Prime Minister recalled that Sri Lanka and Thailand have a strong cultural and religious bond because of their shared Buddhist heritage. The Siam Nikaya, which originated in Thailand, is one of the most revered monastic orders in Sri Lanka.
Thai Permanent Secretary said that the countries could encourage co-operation by leveraging their different comparative advantages.
Two delegations expressed the view that Thailand is well placed to polish and cut gemstones from Sri Lanka, as well as market them. This division of labour would also help to reduce direct competition on the global market for both countries.
Prime Minister Gunawardena briefed the Thai delegation about the plans implemented by the government to overcome the economic crisis and to revive economic activities. He also stressed the government plans to have close economic cooperation with Thailand with the scheduled signing of the Free Trade Agreement early next year.
Ambassador of Thailand Poj Harnpol, Director-General, Department of South Asian Affairs, Worawoot Pongprapapant and other senior officials and leading investors, Thiti Suwansak, Sugan Intrasut, Anotai Kunapornpairoj and Miss Ririnda Tangtatswas took part in the discussion.
MP Yadamini Gunawardena, Secretary to the Prime Minister Anura Dissanayake, Director General of Foreign Ministry Waruna Wilpatha and Economic Advisor T Rusiripala also attended this event.
Prime Minister’s Media