BANGKOK, Nov 18: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said here on Monday that Pakistan desired to comprehensively upgrade its cordial relations with Thailand in different areas.

Addressing a news conference along with his Thai counterpart Yingluck Shinawatra, he said ‘Vision East Asia’ was an important component of Pakistan’s policy that complemented Thailand’s ‘Look West Policy’.

He said Pakistan and Thailand had common cultural linkages through Gandhara Civilisation. “Traditionally, our bilateral relations have always been most cordial and Pakistan desires to comprehensively upgrade these relations in all areas of cooperation.”

He said he had comprehensive discussions with Prime Minister Shinawatra on a full range of issues which covered wide areas, including collaboration in trade and investment, infrastructure development, science and technology, defence, education and tourism.

“Regional as well as international issues of mutual interest also came under discussion. We are satisfied with the progress made in various domains of relationship and have agreed to further consolidate and expand this partnership for the mutual benefit of our two peoples.”

Prime Minister Sharif said: “Economic and trade relations are a high priority on our agenda”, adding that Pakistan and Thailand had important economic complementarities, particularly vast domestic and extended neighbourhood markets and unique geographical locations to build a strong partnership.

He said bilateral trade had already crossed $1 billion and efforts would be made to double the figure in five years.

He said the growth in investment had been steady over the past few years.

Pakistan, he said, offered attractive investment opportunities. “We have invited Thai private businesses to invest in Pakistan in various sectors, including infrastructure development, energy, auto parts manufacturing, food processing, packaging, gems and jewellery as well as tourism industry.”

He said Pakistan would extend all facilities to Thai investors. However, greater connectivity between the two countries will be critical to facilitate trade and investment. “To this end, we believe that Pakistan and Thailand would utilise each other’s geo-strategic locations.”

He emphasised the importance of people-to-people contacts as one of the most important aspects of relations and said the number of Pakistani tourists visiting Thailand was increasing steadily.

“We hope people of Thailand would also visit Pakistan to get an insight into the ancient Gandhara Civilisation which is the bedrock of their faith and spiritualism.”

The prime minister said the two sides had agreed to enhance and deepen cooperation in regional and multilateral frameworks.

He said Pakistan appreciated Thailand’s consistent support for its enhanced partnership with Asean.

He said he was pleased to be in Bangkok to attend the Connect Asia Pacific Summit and to hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Shinawatra.

The Thai prime minister said her country wanted to promote trade and investment links with Pakistan.

She said Thai private companies would make investment in Pakistan’s energy sector.

She appreciated Pakistan’s contribution to the Connect Asia Pacific Summit.—APP