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Thai PM confident trade improving between Thailand and Qatar


DOHA, Nov 25 (TNA) – Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is paving the way for improved trade channels between Thailand and Qatar during his official three-day visit to this Middle East country, expressing confidence regarding future Qatari investment in Thailand in the future.

Mr Abhisit met his counterpart Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassem Bin Jabor Al-Thani after arriving Tuesday and the two leaders witnessed the signing of two Memoranda of Understanding.

The first relates to the Establishment of the Joint High Commission for Thailand and Qatar, while the other links the Board of Trade of Thailand and the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Cooperation in news exchanges and chemical products was strengthened by the signing of two agreements between the Qatar News Agency and MCOT Plc, and Thailand’s SCG (Chemicals) and Qatar Petroleum.

The two leaders spoke to the media together, saying the MoUs and pacts signed would be a key to development in agriculture, energy, investment, and health tourism.

Mr Abhisit thanked the Qatari government for a warm welcome on his first official visit to Qatar to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment joint diplomatic relations.

The Thai prime minister said he appreciated Qatar support of Thai labourers working there, and gave assurances that he would speed up the drafting of an agreement on employment regulations.

Regarding the continuing insurgency in Thailand's three southern border provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat, Mr Abhisit said Qatar understands the insurgency problem in Thailand’s restive region and supported Thailand’s commitment to resolve the problem and help clarify the issue with the Organization of Islamic Conferences (OIC).

Thailand also proposed that Qatar help develop its agricultural sector in the three southern border provinces, and that Thai energy giant PTT and the Siam Cement Group (SCG) invested in energy in Qatar and negotiated on supplying cheap gas in the future.

Further negotiation will be discussed in the future, said Mr Abhisit, adding that he had also invited the ruler and the prime minister of Qatar to visit Thailand next year.

Mr Abhisit on Wednesday visited Education City, a learning development centre and was granted an audience with ruler H.H. Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani.

The Thai prime minister will be interviewed by Al Jazeera news channel and meet leading businesspersons as well as visit Thai communities. (TNA)


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PTT seeks to amend its deal with Qatar Gas

THE NATION Published on May 15, 2010


PTT is seeking to amend its sale and purchase agreement with Qatar Gas Operating to purchase liquefied natural gas (LNG) in an on-the-spot basis to take advantage of the recent decline in global prices.

Currently, the 1-million tonne purchase per annum is on a long-term contract basis.

Permsak Shevawattananon, senior executive vice president of PTT, said the agency needed permission from the National Energy Policy Committee to amend the memorandum of understanding.


The current spot price of LNG is 20 per cent lower than the contracted basis price on average, according to one PTT official.


Permsak said PTT expects the LNG to be delivered mid next year, once its terminal to accommodate 5 million tonnes of the gas is complete. A port will also be built to accommodate LNG vessels that can load 125,000 to 264,000 cubic metres of gas. The entire facility will cost around Bt32 billion.


He said the investment would ensure national power security.


Permsak added that under the on-the-spot basis, the company would buy LNG when the price is low and stock up for use when the price rises. PTT will also seek partners to diversify investment risks.


In a separate matter, PTT yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding with Universal Adsorbents and Chemicals in a joint project to develop biogas from animal dung in Chiang Mai.


Universal will turn biogas processed from pig dung, taken from Mongkol and Sun Farm in Chiang Mai, into compressed biomethane, which can then be used as fuel for vehicles.


PTT will buy all its compressed biomethane gas from Universal and distribute it commercially through its NGV stations in remote areas. Universal has the capacity to produce 6.5 million tonnes of compressed biomethane gas per day, which can replace the use of 6,400 litres of diesel or 5,000 kilograms of LPG per day.

if they really want to contribute, they should open a hospital here

Thai PM visits Bahrain, Qatar to boost cooperation

BANGKOK, May 13 -- Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra would officially visit Bahrain and Qatar between May 13-16 to foster relations and seek cooperation and particularly investments from the Middle Eastern countries.

Ms Yingluck and her entourages would leave Thailand at 12.50 pm on Sunday for Manama and visit Bahrain during May 13-25. She then would fly to Doha to visit Qatar during May 15-16.

The primary purposes of the visit is to strengthen ties at all level and promote good cooperation in all dimensions.

During her visit to Bahrain, Ms Yingluck was scheduled to pay a courtesy call to HM King Hamad bin Isa Al and HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa Khalifam.

The Thai premier would later bring a delegation of officials and business representatives to pay a courtesy visit to Bahrain Prime Minister Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Al-Khalifa and attend a plenary session between Thailand and Bahrain.

The bilateral discussion would cover bilateral and multilateral issues where Thailand and Bahrain have mutual benefits. Thailand would thank Bahrain for its support with Thailand's handling of problems in the three southernmost provinces at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) arena.

Thailand would push for increased private sector roles in construction projects in Bahrain and cooperation in healthcare services.

On this occasion, Thai and Bahrain would sign Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) on tourism cooperation between the two governments.

Ms Yingluck would also give an opening address at the Thai-Bahraini business meeting and would meet with the Thai community in Bahrain.

This was the first visit to the Middle Eastern region for the premier and would mark the 35th anniversary of Thai-Bahraini diplomatic ties.

At Doha, Ms Yingluck would pay a courtesy call on Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, the ruling Emir of the State of Qatar, at Amiri Diwan Palace before holding bilateral discussions with Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim Bin Jabr Al-Thani, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar.

Medical cooperation will be on the agenda for discussion between the Thai premier and Qatari leaders, as Thailand's health care services is considered well-developed and of high standards, particularly for orthopedic surgery.

Ms Yingluck was scheduled to return to Thailand on May 17. (MCOT online news)

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PM begins Qatar visit today

Published: 15/05/2012 at 11:28 AM Online

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her entourage will today travel from Bahrain to Qatar, where they will visit from May 15-17.

They are scheduled to arrive at Doha, Qatar, at 3.25pm (local time).

Ms Yingluck will have an audience with H.H. Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, the Emir, at the Al Wajbah palace before meeting with H.E. Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al-Thani, the prime minister and foreign minister of Qatar for talks on bilateral issues.

The two prime ministers will then witness the signing of an agreement on labour employment between the Thai and Qatar governments.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/293402/pm-begins-qatar-visit-today

Thai PM visits Qatar to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation

DOHA, May 16 -- Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra arrived in Doha on Tuesday for a two-day official visit May 15-16 to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation between Thailand and Qatar.

Upon arrival, Premier Yingluck was granted an audience by His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani before holding a full panel discussion with her Qatari counterpart Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassem Bin Jabor Al-Thani who is also foreign minister.

During the discussion, the Thai premier praised the smooth relations between the two countries which established diplomatic ties in 1980 and said that Thailand wanted to expand bilateral and multilateral cooperation with Qatar for mutual benefit.

She also expressed gratitude to Qatar for supporting her government’s response to problems in Thailand's three southernmost provinces by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and extended assistance in education and investment in Thailand's deep South.

Thailand and Qatar agreed to foster cooperation in the field of construction in which Thailand has expertise. The Thai private sector showed interest in joining infrastructure development projects in Qatar, particularly stadiums as Qatar will host the 2022 FIFA World Cup finals and the country is bidding to host the 2020 Olympics as well, Ms Yingluck said.

On investment cooperation, Thailand agreed to support the Qatar Investment Authority and Qatar Holdings joint investment in the Thai financial sector, particularly the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) and real estate business.

Thailand is also pleased to welcome Qatari nationals who want to visit Thailand for medical visits and would extend bilateral cooperation in hospital and health related business.

Thailand's private hospitals expressed interest in joining the Qatar medical team during the FIFA World Cup final in 2022.

Thailand and Qatar agreed to strengthen cooperation in the energy sector, as Thailand's PTT and Qatargas plan to sign an agreement on the Thai purchase of liquefied natural gas from Qatar.

Qatar agreed to lift its ban on chicken meat imported from Thailand within two weeks.

After the discussion, the two leaders witnessed the signing an agreement on public health cooperation, on employment in Qatar, cultural cooperation and on trade and investment cooperation in agricultural products, particularly halal food. (MCOT online news)

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Yingluck Shinawatra is a lovely, beautiful woman! She was at the Four Seasons earlier!

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Thai PM supports Thai-Qatar private sector becoming strategic economic partners

DOHA, May 17 - Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra affirmed that the Thai government will support the Thai and Qatar private sectors to foster their cooperation and become strategic partners.

Ms Yingluck was on an official visit to Qatar and attended a reception to meet with the business community of Thailand and Qatar.

In her speech to promote investment, the premier expressed her appreciation and said that it was an honour to visit Qatar, as a country with one of the most dynamic economies in the Middle East. With the support of the private sector, she said, the economic relationship between the two countries will be stronger in the years ahead.

She said the partnership is based on a 30-year diplomatic relationship and the focus is on new opportunities and potential in the future, because both countries are part of growing and dynamic regions.

The growth rate and strong economic foundation, as well as the discussion between the two prime ministers focusing on strong political will to develop further the partnership, will enhance the economic partnership between the two countries, the Thai premier said.

On industry and agriculture, she said Thailand is a leading food producer with internationally recognised standards. Under the ‘Kitchen of the World’ strategy, especially for halal food products, exports increased by 30 per cent last year, and the government continues to support food production. Moreover, it is supporting the creation of a halal food industrial estate in southern Thailand.

On electronics, automobiles, alternative energy, bio-technology and petrochemicals, she said, Thailand has opened up the opportunity for Qatari businesses to invest. The policy of reducing personal income tax from 23 to 20 per cent in 2013 has been put in place.

Ms Yingluck added that Thailand can be the gateway to the ASEAN Community which will be a market of 600 million people. Qatar businesses will be able to expand to the region. Thailand has allocated US$11.4 million to protect against natural disasters that may damage industries in the future, she said, and investment has been placed to increase connectivity in the ASEAN Community.

In the construction industry, Ms Yingluck said that since Qatar will host the FIFA World Cup final in 2022, and since the Qatar National Vision 2030 to build further world class infrastructure has been put in place, Thai construction companies are very interested in bidding for construction and infrastructure projects for sports activities, including both design and construction.

On energy security, there has been support for Thai companies to cooperate with Qatar in energy and petrochemical projects, said the Thai premier.

In the health and tourism industry, Thailand is well known for both health care and tourism, so Thai investors are keen to expand their businesses into Qatar, she said. (MCOT online news)

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