Thai-SL biz forum explores ways to enhance bilateral trade & investment

4 November 2015 02:37 am

By Sandun A. Jayasekera in Bangkok 
President Maithripala Sirisena told the Thailand - Sri Lanka Business Forum in Bangkok yesterday that the proposed sectors for future investment in Sri Lanka includes tourism, high tech manufacturing for export, infrastructure, telecom, primary and alternative energy, agriculture and agro-based industries, gem and apparel. 

“At Present Thailand enjoys a high trade surplus which I hope will develop into  more mutually beneficial status as the total trade between our two countries has been increasing since 2004 with total trade in 2004 standing at US$ 516 million,” he added.  

The Thailand- Sri Lanka Business Forum was organized by the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce and Banking (JSCCIB) Thailand at the Anantara Siam Hotel, Bangkok. 

The full day Business Forum was jointly chaired by President Sirisena and Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand Somkid Jatusripitak.  

President Sirisena stressed the need to do away with double taxation to further facilitate two-way trade and added the first bilateral promotion and protection of investment agreement between the two countries was signed in 1966 and continues to remain in force to-date.   

Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak said the Thai government has already discussed ways and means to significantly increase trade and investment which still has ample room to expand. 

One of the ways mentioned was to encourage information sharing and business networking  between  the private  sectors  and agencies  concerned. “I am confident that this Business Forum will further  strengthen our  collaborative trade and investment as well as contribute to closer economic partnership between the business peoples of both countries.”