Thai Prime Minister’s official visit to Brunei strengthens Thai-Brunei relations as they agreed to expand bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, medical tourism, and Halal food markets. They also aim to support ASEAN in achieving economic integration goals. #Thailand #Brunei #bilateralcooperation #diplomacy #medicaltourism #Halalfood #ASEAN #economicintegration
Expanding Bilateral Cooperation
Thailand and Brunei have agreed to expand their bilateral cooperation to cover new areas of trade and investment, working closely together towards the ASEAN goal of achieving regional economic integration. During his official visit to Brunei, Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin met with His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam, the most senior leader in ASEAN. The two sides discussed existing areas of bilateral cooperation and explored new ones to include.
Celebrating 40 Years of Diplomatic Relations
Thailand and Brunei will soon celebrate the 40th anniversary of their longstanding diplomatic ties. The Prime Minister highlighted the importance of food security between the two countries as a new area of cooperation. Brunei currently imports rice and sugar mainly from Thailand, and both sides have agreed to expand the Halal food market with each other, providing Thailand with additional opportunities to export Halal-certified chicken.
Encouraging Medical Tourism
Mr. Srettha also encouraged more people from Brunei to visit Thailand for medical services, noting that the kingdom is already well-regarded by Middle Eastern customers for its medical tourism. Trade between Thailand and Brunei in 2022 was valued at about 29 billion baht, representing a 29% year-on-year growth, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Investment Opportunities and Energy Cooperation
The Thai Prime Minister invited the Brunei Investment Agency (BIA) to consider investing more in Thailand’s high-capacity areas, including the service industry, tourism, and infrastructure. In addition, more bilateral cooperation in the field of energy was discussed and agreed upon during the meeting.
Supporting ASEAN Economic Integration
Mr. Srettha expressed appreciation for the rising popularity of Thai imports in Brunei, which has led the Thai embassy in Brunei to plan more trade shows showcasing Thai products. Both countries agreed on the need to continue working closely together to support ASEAN in achieving economic integration goals. Mr. Srettha later attended a royal banquet hosted by the Sultan in honor of the Thai leader’s visit.
Continuing Regional Engagements
Today, the Thai Prime Minister arrives in Malaysia, where he will attend an official welcoming ceremony and meet with Malaysian leader Anwar Ibrahim. He will travel to Singapore tomorrow to meet with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and attend a joint press briefing after an official welcoming ceremony. During his visit, Mr. Srettha will also meet with top Singaporean companies before returning to Bangkok.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the new areas of bilateral cooperation between Thailand and Brunei?
During the Thai Prime Minister’s official visit to Brunei, both countries agreed to expand their bilateral cooperation to include trade, investment, medical tourism, and Halal food markets. This expansion aims to support ASEAN’s goal of achieving regional economic integration.
How will Thailand and Brunei collaborate in the Halal food market?
As Thailand and Brunei celebrate the 40th anniversary of their longstanding diplomatic ties, both countries have agreed to expand the Halal food market with each other. Brunei currently imports rice and sugar mainly from Thailand, and this cooperation provides Thailand with additional opportunities to export Halal-certified chicken.
What are the Prime Minister’s plans for promoting medical tourism in Thailand?
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin encouraged more people from Brunei to visit Thailand for medical services, noting that the kingdom is already well-regarded by Middle Eastern customers for its medical tourism. By expanding bilateral cooperation with Brunei, it is expected that more Bruneians will consider Thailand for their medical needs.
