Thailand and Myanmar have pledged to deepen economic cooperation, reopen key trade routes and accelerate investment as both countries seek to raise bilateral trade to US$12 billion (397 billion baht).
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing on Thursday presided over the opening of the Thailand-Myanmar Business Forum at Bangkok's Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, jointly organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Thailand-Myanmar Friendship Association.
According to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the visit marked Min Aung Hlaing's first official trip to Thailand since Myanmar's election.
Addressing business leaders, Mr Anutin said the two countries were entering a new chapter of economic cooperation based on confidence, trust and mutual benefit.
He described Myanmar as one of Thailand's key economic partners, with bilateral trade worth $7.4 billion, and said there was considerable room for growth. Thai investment in Myanmar covers sectors including energy, manufacturing, transport, logistics, communications, real estate and tourism.
Following talks with Min Aung Hlaing, Mr Anutin said both sides had agreed to turn cooperation into concrete action. They welcomed the reopening of the Second Thailand-Myanmar Friendship Bridge linking Mae Sot and Myawaddy and pledged to remove regulatory obstacles to restore trade through the route.
They also agreed to consider reopening additional border crossings where conditions permit and to convene a Joint Trade Committee meeting to advance the $12 billion trade target.
Mr Anutin reaffirmed Thai businesses' confidence in Myanmar's long-term potential, particularly in energy, agriculture, agro-industry, infrastructure, tourism and emerging industries.
Min Aung Hlaing said Myanmar's location linking East Asia, Southeast Asia and South Asia positioned it as a regional logistics hub. He highlighted the Dawei Special Economic Zone and regional projects, including the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway, the Asian Highway and the Trans-Asian Railway Network.
He invited Thai investors to expand investment in agriculture, livestock processing, rubber products, furniture manufacturing, infrastructure, energy, education, healthcare and technology, citing strengthened legal protections for investors and direct kyat-baht payment mechanisms.
"By combining Myanmar's natural resources with Thailand's investment and experience, both nations can achieve mutual growth," he said.
