The Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs of Thailand Dr.Somkid Jatusripitak said: “this FTA will usher in a new era of mutual cooperation and prosperity, if Sri Lanka agrees with it”.

He believes Thailand could support to fulfil Sri Lanka’s potential for growth, through public and private sector participation-in agriculture, tourism, Industry and SMEs, infrastructure and human resource development investments.

Dr.Somkid Jatusripitak was addressed a Business Forum in Colombo today (10th March).

State Minister of International Trade Sujeewa Senasinghe, also participated the event and highlighted the trade potential for Thailand partnering with Sri Lanka. “Our new government has brought in freedom, democracy, transparency and more importantly, investor confidence”, he said.

The both countries signed three MoUs yesterday (9th March) and it will help to triple the bilateral trade between two countries to US$1.5 billion from present US$500 million by 2020.  The meeting has also touched on increasing Ceylon tea quotas to Thailand, and provision of technical assistance and capacity building, and tourism.