PUBLISHED : 19 Dec 2023 at 04:05
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet is scheduled to visit Thailand to attend the joint Thai-Cambodian cabinet meeting in February to discuss bilateral cooperation, especially cross-border trade between the two countries.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on Monday told media about the Cambodian leader’s planned visit after the two discussed it during their time at the Asean-Japan special summit in Japan from Dec 14-19.
Mr Srettha said he and Hun Manet mulled over the potential of Sa Kaeo, one of the Thai provinces bordering Cambodia, to build industrial estates and border trade businesses there.
Afterwards, Hun Manet agreed to visit Bangkok to discuss the economy, border trade and freight transport between the two countries.
Mr Srettha affirmed that Thailand stands ready to serve as the region’s freight transport hub. If Cambodia has plans to build estate industries, it will benefit the region already served by Thailand’s deep-sea ports and airports, he said.
In the next 10 years, Asean looks set to grow into one of the world’s most substantial economic blocs, so strengthening diplomatic ties with Cambodia will rally businesses, Mr Srettha said.
“I get along well with Mr Hun Manet as he also studied in the US. As we know each other, we can talk about anything easily,” said Mr Srettha.
In late September, Thailand and Cambodia pledged to work together to lift bilateral trade to US$15 billion (551 billion baht) by 2025 as the two countries agreed to deepen ties, according to the government.
The pledge was made between Mr Srettha and Hun Manet during the Thai PM’s first official visit to Cambodia as part of his introductory tour of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) countries to strengthen leader-to-leader relations.
It was noted that Mr Srettha and Hun Manet assumed their respective offices on the same day — Aug 22.
During their meeting, both prime ministers clarified that they would upgrade their strategic partnership while Mr Srettha invited Hun Manet to visit Thailand. They agreed both countries should promote further investment cooperation and develop cross-border areas.