Mongolia ties get boost

Thailand and Mongolia will forge their cooperative links in preparation to commemorating the 40th anniversary of their diplomatic ties next year, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said yesterday. The two countries have signed a pact to set up a mechanism for bilateral cooperation in science and technology as well as tourism, she said.

During a panel meeting with her Mongolian counterpart, Norovyn Altankhuyag, Yingluck said both sides emphasised the importance of promoting and protecting investment as well as trade and economic cooperation as the basis of relations between the two countries.

Two-way trade between Thailand and Mongolia is still slim - worth only $ 14 million last year - and therefore the two countries agreed to expand cooperation on trade and investment in various sectors including mining, agriculture and livestock and automobiles, she said.

The Thai government has encouraged and supported its private sector to explore and seek opportunities for investment in Mongolia in fields such as mining, tourism, agriculture, public health and energy, she said. Members of the private sector also accompanied the Prime Minister's trip to Mongolia during the weekend.

In order to open a new chapter in their relations, Yingluck said the two governments agreed to exchange high level visits, notably during the occasion of the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties next year. She also invited the Mongolian prime minister to visit Thailand in the near future.

Apart from the bilateral visit, Yingluck attended a meeting of the diplomatic community hosted by Mongolia.