Myanmar, Thailand vow to raise bilateral trade to 20 bln USD in 2017

Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw met with visiting Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan in Nay Pyi Taw on Wednesday vowing to raise the two countries' bilateral trade to 20 billion U.S. dollars in 2017, according to the President's Office sources.

The pair urged early completion of the Myawaddy Friendship Bridge to facilitate trade activities.

Their discussions also covered cooperation of the two defense ministries and armed forces for border stability and development.

Meeting with Wongsuwan on the occasion, Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi said Myanmar and Thailand will cooperate to show their close relations as a model not only in the region but also in the international arena.

The pair focused their discussions on raising the friendship between the two peoples to fraternal level, prompting holding of joint boundary committee for boundary demarcation, legal protection of Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand and settlement of dispute if arises and facilitating implementation of Dawei Special Economic Zone which will benefits both countries, cooperation in police training and repatriation of 196 Myanmar refugees to their homeland.

Wongsuwan, who arrived in Nay Pyi Taw earlier Wednesday for a two-day visit, also held talks with Commander-in-Chief of the Defense Service Senior-General Min Aung Hlaing on military cooperation, border security, cracking down on terrorists and narcotic drug trafficking, boundary demarcation and labor affairs. Endit