The COUNTRY and New Zealand vowed to boost economic cooperation with an aim to triple two-way trade by 2045, as the latter’s leader visited Thailand for the first time in 11 years.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon arrived in Bangkok on Tuesday and met with his Thai counterpart Srettha Thavisin at the Government House on Wednesday.
They discussed trade, education, investment, visa arrangements, tourism, transnational crime and cybersecurity.
“We have agreed to elevate Thailand-New Zealand relations to a strategic partnership in 2026 or sooner, which will mark the 70th anniversary of our diplomatic relations.
“This will create the momentum for us to further expand and deepen cooperation in all dimensions,” Srettha said during a joint news conference after the meeting.Luxon said that trade between the countries has tripled since a free trade agreement was signed 20 years ago.
“But today we have committed to look for further opportunities to expand our economic cooperation and for new opportunities.
“Today we announced an ambitious goal to triple our two-way trade by 2045,” he said. — AP
