AILYN AGONIA

DOHA THAILAND’s Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Wednesday called upon Qatari investors to explore investment opportunities in her country, especially in the agricultural and food industry sectors.

Speaking at the business reception, she underlined Thailand’s advanced food processing and burgeoning Halal food industries (exports grew 30 percent last year), as top reasons for Qatar to consider investments.

Officials of Qatar Chamber led by Vice-Chairman Mohammed bin Ahmed bin Towar and Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee Secretary- General Hassan al Thawadi were present at the reception.

The Thai PM also named automotives, electronics, alternative energy, biotechnology and petrochemicals as other promising investment avenues for Qatari investors in the Southeast Asian country.

As part of Thailand’s business strategy of being a ‘Kitchen to the World’, she said, “We aim to ensure that our agricultural and food products are of high quality, meet international standards of safety and are tailor made to specific needs of our customers worldwid.” “Our food processing industry, which includes the Halal foods sector, is therefore, something Qatar might be interested in exploring for investment opportunities,” said Yingluck.

Talking about the outcome of her visit she said that the vibrant Qatar- Thailand economic ties are geared towards further improvement following her discussions with the Qatari government during her twoday visit here.

Qatar-Thailand trade volume increased by 24 percent over the past five years, from $2.3 billion in 2007 to $2.8 billion last year, she said. She also highlighted the rising number of Qatari tourists to Thailand which stood at 28,000 last year.

Yingluck also pointed out the strategic role of Thailand as gateway for Qatar to a production base of 600 million people with the establishment of the ASEAN Community by 2015.

She also urged Thai investors to take advantage of construction opportunities in Qatar arising out of the country being the World Cup 2022 host nation as also from the Qatar National Vision 2030 which envisages establishment of worldclass infrastructure.

“In view of the importance of energy security, Thai companies are also encouraged to expand their cooperation with Qatar in energy and petrochemicals.

You already know that Thailand has one of the world’s most highly-rated healthcare, wellness and tourism industries. This is one more area where Thai investors would be interested in expanding their businesses in Qatar.” She hailed the business reception attended by Qatari and Thai businessmen as one of the key steps in realising these potential economic and business partnership between the two countries.