Thailand and the United Kingdom to Initiate Strategic Dialogue

(12/11/2012)

Thailand and the United Kingdom will initiate the establishment of “Strategic Dialogue” as a new mechanism to strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation. The issue will be discussed and approved by the Prime Ministers of both countries during the official visit of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to the United Kingdom on 12-14 November 2012. UK Foreign Secretary William Hague recently paid a visit to Thailand to discuss preparations for Prime Minister Yingluck’s visit to the United Kingdom and the opportunities of increasing bilateral trade and investment. He also presided over the signing of an anti-corruption pledge by a number of British companies in Thailand and Thailand’s Coalition against Corruption. Concerning the Thailand-UK Strategic Dialogue, both countries shared the view that the new mechanism should hold a meeting each year. Thailand has offered to host the first meeting of the dialogue. Among European Union countries, the United Kingdom comprises the largest group of foreign investors in Thailand. About one million tourists from the United Nations visit Thailand each year. Thailand urged the United Kingdom to support ASEAN and to regard Thailand as its gateway to this region. In addition, they share views on the importance of developing English language skills for Thais. During her visit to the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Yingluck will be accompanied by representatives of the private sector, who will explore trade opportunities with their UK counterparts. On this occasion, the President of Thailand Trade Representative, Office of the Prime Minister, Mr. Olarn Chaipravat, is leading a group of Thai rice exporters and officials from the Department of Foreign Trade to visit London from 11 to 16 November. Mr. Olarn said that he had been assigned by the Prime Minister to help promote the marketing of high-quality Thai rice, especially Hom Mali Rice and organic rice. London has been selected as the first country for the promotional campaign for Thai rice, coinciding with the official visit of the Prime Minister to the United Kingdom. On 13 November, Prime Minister Yingluck will deliver a keynote address on “Thailand: Unparalleled Opportunities” during a luncheon with British and Thai business people at the Grosvenor House Hotel. On the following day, she is scheduled to preside over the opening of the Thai Rice and Thai Select fair at the TESCO store in Kennington. Mr. Olarn said that the campaign for Thai rice is aimed at making Thai rice better known among European consumers, now that Thai Hom Mali rice is already popular among Asians. The group of Thai rice exporters will meet and discuss the matter with members of the London Rice Brokers Association, which has networks in other European markets and Africa. The discussion will pave the way for the expansion of Hom Mali rice markets to various countries in Europe, Africa, and even the Middle East.