BANGKOK, Thailand – Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul met with Swiss Ambassador Pedro Zwahlen at Government House yesterday (Aug. 5), making clear Thailand’s interest in expanding bilateral cooperation and voicing support for the early entry into force of the Thailand-European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Free Trade Agreement. Anutin thanked Zwahlen for his role in advancing cooperation in science and technology, sustainable development, and education. The premier also welcomed the planned visit of the president of the Swiss Confederation to Thailand for the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Annual Meetings in October, along with an upcoming delegation of Swiss business leaders.
The two sides reviewed economic relations, with Switzerland remaining Thailand’s largest trading partner in Europe and within the EFTA grouping. They also discussed investment in the Eastern Economic Corridor, the Eastern Economic Corridor of Innovation, medical technology, advanced manufacturing, the Bio-Circular-Green economy, and business partnerships, along with cooperation on climate change and sustainable development. Zwahlen also reaffirmed Switzerland’s support for Thailand’s accession process to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Both sides welcomed progress on the Thailand-EFTA Free Trade Agreement, expressing hope this will take effect at the earliest opportunity. (NNT)
