Pakistan and Thailand to finalise FTA by end of Year: PM
Pakistan Times
Pakistan and Thailand to finalise FTA by end of Year: PM
By Saba Imran, ’Pakistan Times’ Staff Reporter
6 August 2006
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said Pakistan and Thailand had agreed to finalise Free Trade Agreement (FTA) before the end of this year to further promote and boost bilateral trade and economic relations.
Talking to newsmen here at Prime Minister House after his arrival from Malaysia where he attended OIC summit and had a brief stop-over at Bangkok, the Prime Minister said he had discussed bilateral matters, trade and economic cooperation with the Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Shaukat Aziz, who was received by Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand Surakiat Sariantai when he arrived Bangkok for brief stop-over also attended a luncheon meeting with the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister said during his talks with Thai Prime Minister he briefed him about the OIC meeting held in Malaysia on the Lebanon crisis.
He said during his brief stop-over he also discussed bilateral relations of the two countries with special reference to trade, economy, investment and tourism expansion.
The Prime Minister said due to rich civilization of Ghandhara and Buddha in Pakistan, there was scope to further promote tourism from Thailand, which was discussed by him with his Thai counterpart.
Shaukat Aziz said Pakistan and Thailand have many common things and enjoy strong relations which would be further promoted through expanding trade and economic ties and expanding tourist facilities.
The Prime Minister said there has been 30 per cent increase in the trade between the two countries.
