Thai Foreign Minister: ASEAN-Canada Dialogue will boost ASEAN economy

[webfact]

Foreign Minister: ASEAN-Canada Dialogue will boost ASEAN economy

BANGKOK, 7 August 2015 (NNT) - Canada was urged to invest in the agricultural development of the ASEAN region during the recent ASEAN-Canada Dialogue held in Malaysia.

Foreign Minister General Thanasak Patimapakorn attended the post-ministerial conference in Kuala Lumpur with other ASEAN foreign ministers and his Canadian counterpart, Daniel Jean.

General Thanasak said during the conference that both parties could potentially collaborate to promote and support the growth of small and medium enterprises.

They could also enter a joint investment to establish a transportation network, also dubbed the Asia-Pacific Gateway, and promote the development of the agriculture industry in ASEAN through Canada’s Grow Asia project.

Members of ASEAN nations and Canada have agreed to strengthen their relationships. In recognition of this development, the North American country is planning to appoint a Canadian ambassador to the ASEAN region and has endorsed the ASEAN-Canada Plan of Action 2016-2020.

Source: http://thainews.prd.go.th/centerweb/newsen/NewsDetail?NT01_NewsID=WNECO5808070010002

-- NNT 2015-08-07

[djjamie]

That is all well and good, but what experience does Foreign Minister General Thanasak Patimapakorn have in foreign affairs? He doesn't need to give anyones passport back?

Even though his experience is no doubt more than Surapong had in foreign affairs the last thing this govt need to do is mirror the previous regime by sending unqualified people to these forums. Look at the damage the last guy that was unqualified did.

[jerojero]

Canada Government was just dissolved, pending a national election in November. Expected change in government and Prime Minister according to polls, so any current deal with Asaen means nothing.

[BigBadGeordie]

That is all well and good, but what experience does Foreign Minister General Thanasak Patimapakorn have in foreign affairs? He doesn't need to give anyones passport back?

Even though his experience is no doubt more than Surapong had in foreign affairs the last thing this govt need to do is mirror the previous regime by sending unqualified people to these forums. Look at the damage the last guy that was unqualified did.

No, but he can spot a sexy man at 50 metres, and, if he were a women well.........

[jayboy]

That is all well and good, but what experience does Foreign Minister General Thanasak Patimapakorn have in foreign affairs? He doesn't need to give anyones passport back?

Even though his experience is no doubt more than Surapong had in foreign affairs the last thing this govt need to do is mirror the previous regime by sending unqualified people to these forums. Look at the damage the last guy that was unqualified did.

But then look at the damage that ridiculous little faux terrorist Kasit did - and he was qualified.

[chainarong]

Countries are always doing dialogue, just because someone calls in doesn't mean anything is going to happen and as pointed out an election in Canada is just around the corner, Thailand seems to read into everything that moves , generally when a country like Canada meets in the West some agreement or arrangement has already been made through Foreign Affairs and trade , so everyone can get a media stop in and praise each other for increasing the beef , wheat trade or whatever , I noticed that was lacking.

[SOTIRIOS]

...does he even know his 'counterpart''s name....

...makes one wonder...

[Srikcir]

I can't see much of any increase of ASEAN exports to Canada in the near future.

Only 20% of exports to Canada comes from the Asia-Pacific region and 50% of that comes from China. The next top four exporters to Canada are India, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. Exports from Thailand is a miniscule 2.5% - about the same as Vietnam and Malaysia.