PM Calls For Increased Malaysia-Thailand Trade, Investment

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 21 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and Thailand must make greater efforts to increase trade and investment between them, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said tonight.He pointed out that while Malaysia and Thailand were important partners in trade and investment but both countries traded and invested more in other countries."An enhancement of our bilateral trade and investment relations will not only be mutually beneficial but will also bring our two countries closer to each other," he said when speaking at a dinner in honour of visiting Thailand Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont at the Petroleum Club in the Petronas Twin Towers.Present were Abdullah's wife Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah and Surayud's wife Khunying Chitravadee and the Thai delegation comprising cabinet ministers.Abdullah also said Malaysia would continue working closely with Thailand to enhance the significance of Asean for the good of the region.He said Malaysia would cooperate with Thailand in ensuring peace and security in the wider East Asia region and the world.The prime minister also said Malaysia was keenly aware of the important constitutional developments taking place in Thailand."As your friend and neighbour, we wish Thailand full success in carrying out the reforms it wishes to introduce for the good of the people of Thailand," he said.Abdullah also said he looked forward to receiving both Surayud and his wife again at the end of the month to join in Malaysia's 50th independence anniversary celebrations."In addition, we shall also be celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and Thailand," he said.Surayud, in his speech, congratulated Malaysia for its achievements in the past five decades."Even the sky is not the limit for Malaysia," he said, referring to Malaysia's plans to send an astronaut to the outerspace this year.Surayud also said he believed the Third Annual Consultation would continue to enhance bilateral ties between Thailand and Malaysia for another 50 years.Earlier, Surayud had an audience with Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin and witnessed a signing ceremony between Malaysian and Thailand education ministers for cooperation in education.Surayud, here on a three-day visit to Malaysia from yesterday, will meet Abdullah in Penang tomorrow for the annual consultation.The two leaders will discuss issues of mutual interests to enhance bilateral ties as well as confidence-building measures in southern Thailand which have been agreed to by the two leaders.This is Surayud's third visit to Malaysia since he took office as Thailand Prime Minister in October last year.