Connect Asia Pacific Summit: Nawaz Sharif reaches Bangkok

PM will also hold talks with his Thai counterpart.

BANGKOK:

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif arrived in Thailand’s capital on Sunday after completing his visit to Sri Lanka where he attended the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

At the airport, Thai Deputy Prime Minister PrachaPromnok received the premier and his entourage, including Minister for Information Technology and Communication Anusha Rahman, Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi and Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani.



During his three-day visit, the prime minister will address the inaugural session of the Connect Asia Pacific Summit 2013 and will also attend the IMPACT Exhibition at Bangkok, according to a press statement issued from his office in Islamabad.

The executive secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), Noeleen Heyzer, will also call on the premier, who will have a luncheon meeting with prominent Thai and Pakistani businessmen. The prime minister will hold a meeting and delegation-level talks with his Thai counterpart, who will host a Gala Dinner in honour of the premier.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to Thailand Dr Sohail Khan said on Sunday that Nawaz’s visit would accelerate economic activity in the area. “The prime minister’s visit will enhance relations between the two countries in agriculture, defence, information technology and telecommunication sectors,” he said while talking to the state television.

He said the Asia-Pacific summit would boost business activity in the region. “Business council and investors meetings will also be held to discuss ways for improving trade in the region,” he said, adding that a number of products could be exported to Thailand, which would increase business volume.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 18^th, 2013.