On 27 March 2009, Mr. Yuji Kumamaru, Charge d’Affaires of Japan to Thailand led a group of Japan’s economic agencies based in Thailand including Japanese Chamber of Commerce (JCC), Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), and Japan Foundation, to pay a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya at the Foreign Ministry and to exchange views on various issues in order to strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries.
Foreign Minister Kasit informed the group that the Thai Government realized the importance and the role of both governmental agencies and private sectors of Japan in moving forward Thai and South East Asian economy. At present, Thailand has already established a one-stop-service centre to facilitate Japanese businesses in Thailand and to enhance investment value between the two countries under JTEPA framework. Foreign Minister Kasit also expressed appreciation to Japan for its assistance to fund the construction of the red line elevated train project with JICA‘s Yen loan. The Japanese side praised Thailand’s prompt action in implementing economic stimulus package and informed the Thai side of Japan’s increased investment in chemical, paper making, and food industry in 2009.
Charge d’Affaires of Japan congratulated the successful working visit of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to Japan in February, during which the Thai Prime Minister expressed strong intention to enhance long term relations between Thailand and Japan and to work closely with Japanese agencies to further strengthen bilateral ties.
The Japanese agencies encouraged Thailand to be one of Japan’s partners to tackle the problem of global warming. Currently, the Japanese government has already promoted the “Cool Earth Roadmap” aiming at solving the climate change problem to the international attention. The Japanese side also emphasized the importance of people to people interaction between the two countries through deepening traditional and cultural ties. In this regard, the Japan Foundation recommended that Thailand establish an institution tasked with promoting Thai culture abroad.
On Southeast Asian economic development, the Japanese side stressed the importance of the ASEAN-Japan cooperation framework and its readiness to promote the development within the Mekong Sub-region aiming to bridge the economic gap through the development of transportation network in the East-West Economic Corridor area and other socio-cultural development projects. Last year, Japan hosted the first Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on Mekong-Japan Cooperation in Tokyo and will push for the second FMM Meeting to take place later this year.
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