PAKISTAN: Pakistan and Thailand agree to build a strong economic partnership and double their trade figures to two billion US dollars in next five years
Record ID:
859261
PAKISTAN: Pakistan and Thailand agree to build a strong economic partnership and double their trade figures to two billion US dollars in next five years
- Title: PAKISTAN: Pakistan and Thailand agree to build a strong economic partnership and double their trade figures to two billion US dollars in next five years
- Date: 20th August 2013
- Summary: ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN (AUGUST 20, 2013) (REUTERS) ***CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** EXTERIOR OF PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE PAKISTANI PRIME MINISTER, NAWAZ SHARIF, AND THAI PRIME MINISTER, YINGLUCK SHINAWATRA, ARRIVING VARIOUS OF SHINAWATRA AND SHARIF SHAKING HANDS SHINAWATRA AND SHARIF ARRIVING FOR MEETING OFFICIALS AT MEETING SHARIF SMILING SHINAWATRA LISTENING PAKISTANI AND THAI DELEGATES SHARIF WITH AIDES SEATED THAI DELEGATES MORE OF MEETING CAMERAMAN FILMING VARIOUS OF SIGNING CEREMONY CAMERAMEN FILMING SHINAWATRA AND SHARIF WALKING TO PODIUM (SOUNDBITE) (English) PAKISTANI PRIME MINISTER, NAWAZ SHARIF, SAYING: "Economic and trade relations are a high priority of our government and we are desirous of building a strong economic partnership between Pakistan and Thailand. Bilateral trade has crossed one USD billion mark in 2011. We are hopeful that our trade figures would double within next five years." CAMERAMAN FILMING (SOUNDBITE) (English) THAI PRIME MINSTER, YINGLUCK SHINAWATRA, SAYING: "We also have common concerns on the challenges posed by extremism. Indeed, Thailand respects the sacrifices made by the government and people of Pakistan in dealing with these challenges. We believe that international cooperation and promotion of respect for diversity will also help address the challenge of extremism." SHARIF AND SHINAWATRA LEAVING
- Embargoed: 4th September 2013 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Pakistan
- City:
- Country: Pakistan
- Topics: International Relations,Politics
- Reuters ID: LVANZONMESWBSF90DQLGQEU3WXV
- Aspect Ratio:
- Story Text: Pakistan and Thailand on Tuesday (August 20) vowed to build a strong economic partnership, double their trade to two billion US dollars in next five years and eventually enter into a Free Trade Agreement.
Thailand's Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra arrived on a two-day official visit, accompanied by a high-level delegation of cabinet members, officials and businessmen.
Shinawatra and Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed a commitment to collaborate in trade, culture, infrastructure development, science and technology, defence, education and tourism.
Sharif said the two sides held a "comprehensive discussion" on bilateral and international issues.
He said building robust economic and trade relations was a priority.
"Economic and trade relations are a high priority of our government and we are desirous of building a strong economic partnership between Pakistan and Thailand. Bilateral trade has crossed one USD billion mark in 2011. We are hopeful that our trade figures would double within next five years," Sharif said.
Sharif said an inaugural session of the Joint Trade Committee will be held on Wednesday.
The Thai prime minister said both countries had challenges posed by extremism.
"Thailand respects the sacrifices made by the government and people of Pakistan in dealing with these challenges. We believe that international cooperation and promote of respect for diversity will also help address the challenge of extremism," she said.
Thailand's south has been battling insurgency for decades, while Pakistan is plagued by Islamic militancy. Attacks by al Qaeda-linked Taliban and other militant groups have killed thousands of people in recent years in the South Asian nation.
Shinawatra will meet president Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday (August 21). - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2013. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None