Thailand and Singapore agree to speed up economic cooperation

BANGKOK, June 22 (TNA) –  Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his Singapore’s counterpart Lee Hsien Loong on Monday agreed to speed up bilateral economic cooperation.

Speaking during a one-day visit to Singapore, the Thai prime minister said both governments agreed to expedite economic, social and security cooperation under existing bilateral frameworks.

Economic cooperation would also take centre stage at the Singapore-Thailand Enhanced Economic Relations (STEER) meeting aimed at promoting trade and investment of both countries.

The meeting is to be held in Singapore late this year.

The Thai premiere also said both Thailand and Singapore would join forces in strengthening the role of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The cooperation also included regional development, particularly trainings in Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar.

Mr. Abhisit said the Thai government had solved a number of problems and supported trade liberalisation.

The Thai premiere was confident his government’s new round of stimulus measures would attract more investment to Thailand.

“We’d like to see growth back in positive territory by the end of the year. And maybe something like 2 percent growth next year,” said the Thai prime minister. (TNA)