On 4 May 2012, Japanese Financial Services Minister of State and Postal Reform Minister Shozaburo Jimi met with Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul on the occasion of the former’s visit to Thailand. Both sides discussed ways and means to enhance bilateral cooperation, particularly on water management and infrastructure development.
The Thai Foreign Minister thanked Japan for assisting Thailand during the flood crisis, particularly the grant aid worth 8 billion yens from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). He further informed his counterpart that the Thai Government has a plan to build infrastructure on water management to prevent floods and draughts in the future and to prepare Thailand’s readiness for natural disaster prevention. In addition, Thailand is considering to host a meeting with Mekong Subregion member countries (Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia and Vietnam) to discuss issues on water management and natural resources in the subregion. Japan, the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Korea will be invited to attend the meeting.
Minister Shozaburo expressed his appreciation for Thailand’s assistance to Japan during the earthquake and tsunami as well as for assisting Japanese investors during the flood crisis in Thailand. Additionally, he expressed Japan’s readiness to propose various projects and exchange views on infrastructure projects on water management since Japan is a country effected by natural disaster. This would include high-speed train project and other technologies related to disaster management.
For further information, please contact the Press Division, Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tel.02-6435170, Fax.02-6435169, E-mail: div0704@mfa.go.th