MANILA, Aug. 28 (PNA) — Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Friday commended the Philippines for its “successful administration” of overseas Filipino workers.
“Thailand can benefit in learning from the experiences of the Philippines, particularly in the establishment of funds to assist the employment of workers and the reintegration of overseas workers to society,” the visiting Thai leader said following his one-hour expanded bilateral meeting with President Benigno S. Aquino III in Malacañang Palace.
In this regard, he said he proposed to President Aquino that both countries promote bilateral consular cooperation to assist and protect Thai and Filipino overseas workers in various situations.
“I encourage the concerned agencies of our two countries to meet and engage with each other regularly to move our cooperation forward in various areas,” he said.
At the same time he encouraged Filipino companies to expand their investments in Thailand, especially in the country’s special economic zones.
“Both President Aquino and I concur on the important roles of the Philippines-Thailand Business Council and Thailand-Philippines Business Council in promoting cooperation in trade and investment between the two countries,” Prime Minister Prayut said.
During his meeting on Thursday with members of Thailand’s private sector in the Philippines, the Prime Minister said Thai companies have expressed confidence in the potential of the Philippine economy and they also showed interest in expanding investments in the Philippines.
“I extended them my support. In this regard, I also seeked the support of President Aquino on this matter,” he said.
Prime Minister Prayut further said he was pleased that both sides convened the first Thailand-Philippines Energy Forum in early August in Bangkok, which aims to promote cooperation in energy sustainability.
Thailand is ready to host the sixth Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation in 2015 and the first Technical Cooperation Meeting between Thailand and the Philippines on September 24 to 25.
Delegates from Thailand will also attend the first Joint Trade Commission and the first Joint Commission for Military Cooperation to be hosted by the Philippines this year, he said. (PNA)