Prime Minister pays an Official Visit to the State of Qatar between 24-25 November 2009
Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, will pay an official visit to the State of Qatar at the invitation of the Qatari Government, during 24-25 November 2009. The Prime Minister will take this opportunity to give assurances regarding the directions and developments of the Thai economy and the stability of the Thai political situation. He will also reiterate the potential areas and sectors where Thai and Qatari private sectors can further cooperate and synergize, including food security, medical tourism, finance and Islamic banking, construction, energy cooperation, and trade and investment.
During the visit, the Prime Minister will be granted an audience with the Emir of the State of Qatar. He will hold bilateral meetings with Qatari Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy and Industry, before co-chairing the plenary meeting between the two sides. The Prime Minister will also deliver a keynote speech to the Qatari private sector, visit and give an interview at Al Jazeera, and meet with the Thai community in Qatar.
Furthermore, the Prime Ministers of the two countries will witness the signing ceremony of three Agreements i.e. 1) Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of the High Joint Commission between Thailand and Qatar 2) Memorandum of Understanding between the Board of Trade of Thailand and Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry 3) Framework of Agreement between SCG (Chemicals) and Qatar Petroleum International (QPI).
Having established the diplomatic relations on 7 August 1980, Thailand and Qatar will celebrate the historic milestone of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the bilateral relations in 2010. The two countries have always enjoyed close and cordial ties. On the political front, Thailand is appreciative of Qatar’s understanding and support regarding the Thai Government’s efforts and initiatives to solve the situation in the Southern Border Provinces of Thailand, as well as her assistance and cooperation in the international arena such as the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC). On the economic front, Qatar is Thailand’s third biggest trading partner in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), with the bilateral trade volume standing at around USD 3,179.27, and Thai exports to Qatar has increased steadily since 2002.
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