Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha Wednesday held a meeting with the leader of Papua New Guinea on the sidelines of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Summit in Manila. They agreed to boost bilateral cooperation on trade, fishery, tourism and education.
Deputy Government Spokesman Werachon Sukondhapatipak said Prayut told Papua New Guinea PM Peter O'Neill that both countries should expand cooperation to cover more fields, including agricultural products and fishery.
O'Neill focused on Thai rice, saying his country wished to get suggestions on rice growing in order to develop opportunities in Papua New Guinea.
Prayut thanked O'Neill for his country's faith in Thai rice and assured him that Thai rice has the best quality in the world. Prayut asked Papua New Guinea to consider buying other kinds of agricultural products from Thailand.
They also agreed to cooperate more on fishery as the Thai side has expertise and experience while Papua New Guinea is rich in fishing resources.
Werachon said Bangkok wished to see Port Moresby become the centre for distribution of Thai fishery products, and Thai fishery-related businesses could also invest in the country.
Prayut also welcomed and felt honoured that Papua New Guinea intended to open its embassy in Bangkok.