Japan has committed to promoting economic cooperation with Thailand, as well as industrial investment and development.
Koichi Hagiuda, of Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (Meti) paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister and Defence Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha at Government House on Thursday.
It was Mr Hagiuda’s first visit to Thailand and the first visit by a Japanese Meti minister in five years.
Mr Hagiuda affirmed Japan’s commitment to promoting future investment and ensuring sustainable socio-economic growth in partnership with Thailand.
He further expressed confidence the meeting would help strengthen economic ties between Thailand and Japan.
“Thailand is an important trade and investment partner for Japan, and vice versa, with close cooperation across all sectors,” he said.
He also affirmed Japan’s support for Thailand’s hosting of the 2022 Apec Summit and related meetings.
On the Thai side, Gen Prayut thanked the minister for Meti's help in modernising Thai industry through the application of digital technologies such as AI, IoT (Internet of Things) and the 5G system.
The prime minister thanked Japan for taking part in Thailand’s human resource development, which will, in turn, support Japanese investment in the country’s S-Curve (most innovative) industries in the long run.
He also thanked the Japanese private sector for its unwavering confidence in Thailand’s economic potential, as Japan has remained Thailand’s No.1 foreign investor for decades.
“Co-creation between private sectors will lead to future investment and sustainable socio-economic growth for the two countries and Asia as a whole,” the prime minister said.
He added, “Collaboration will be further tightened to achieve SDGs in energy and carbon dioxide emissions reduction.”
Gen Prayut likewise emphasised the Thai government’s commitment to promoting a business environment that is conducive to Japanese investment in Thailand.
Mr Hagiuda confirmed that Thailand is one of the target countries under Japan’s initiative “Asia-Japan Investing for the Future”.
After the meeting, the prime minister presided over the signing of a memorandum of cooperation regarding an energy partnership between the governments of Thailand and Japan, with the focus placed on cooperation on clean and smart energy initiatives.
Government spokesperson Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said Thailand is ready to cooperate with Japan in various areas of mutual interest under the Apec framework.
