MALAYSIA TO FURTHER BOOST ECONOMIC COOPERATION WITH THAILAND - AMBASSADOR

HATYAI (Thailand), April 20 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is working to further boost economic cooperation with Thailand to realise the bilateral trade target of US$30 billion (US$1=RM4.27) by 2025. 

This was said by Malaysia's ambassador to Thailand, Datuk Jojie Samuel who is on a working visit to four southern provinces in Thailand - Songkhla, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat, starting Tuesday, to witness the economic development in these areas post-COVID-19 era.

“I had an introductory visit to Southern Thailand in 2018. I hope this visit will renew friendship and re-establish the link with the people and business communities here in the post COVID-19 era.

“I hope my visit could enhance the bilateral relations and cooperation with Thailand,” he told Bernama here today. 

Meanwhile, Jojie also invited Thai companies and organisations to participate in the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS 2022) to be held in September.

He also urged industry players to strengthen cooperation through more collaboration to enhance the Malaysia-Thailand  border trade.

On Tuesday, Jojie also held engagement sessions with Department of Livestock Development (DLD) and the Songkhla Chamber of Commerce.

Today, Jojie visited the world’s largest condom maker Karex Bhd manufacturing facility in Hatyai, Top Glove Medical Co. Ltd in Sadao and Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (MAQIS) at Bukit Kayu Hitam.

On Thursday, Jojie will pay a courtesy call on Secretary-General of Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre Rear Admiral Somkeart Ponprayoon in Yala.

He will also pay a familiarisation visit to Chok Udomrat Crab Farm in Pattani on the same day.

He is expected to pay a courtesy call on Narathiwat Governor Sanan Pongaksorn and visit the Friendship Bridge across Sg Golok and Rantau Panjang on Friday.

In February, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who was on a three-day official visit to Thailand, said he and his Thai counterpart Prayuth Chan o-cha both hoped that the third ministerial-level Joint Trade Committee (JTC) meeting could be held as soon as possible.

Thailand remains Malaysia's sixth biggest trading partner in the world and the second largest in ASEAN. Malaysia is Thailand's fourth largest trading partner in the world.

Two-way trade between Malaysia and Thailand increased by 23 per cent to RM97.97 billion last year from RM79.63 billion in 2020.

-- BERNAMA