Obuchi aims to boost Thai ties, recovery<\/p>\n
BANGKOK (Reuters): Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi began
\na two-day visit to Thailand on Thursday aimed at enhancing a
\nclose bilateral relationship and putting Asia's economic recovery
\non a more solid footing, officials said.<\/p>\n
Obuchi arrived in Bangkok from Vientiane for the last stop on
\na tour of Southeast Asia that has taken him to Cambodia and Laos,
\nthe first visits to those countries by a Japanese premier in
\nseveral decades.<\/p>\n
Obuchi was to start the Thai leg of the tour with an hour of
\ntalks with counterpart Chuan Leekpai, followed by a dinner hosted
\nby Chuan at Government House.<\/p>\n
Japanese officials said the two would discuss ways to boost
\nJapanese investment in Thailand, which slipped during the Asian
\neconomic crisis that began with the devaluation of the Thai baht
\nin 1997.<\/p>\n
\"The Asian economic crisis is about over, but the recovery
\nneeds to be put on a more solid basis,\" said a Japanese
\ngovernment official who declined to be identified. \"We need to
\nenhance our cooperation and deal with the question of economic
\ndisparities within the region.\"<\/p>\n
Since the crisis broke, Japan has slipped from number one
\nforeign investor in Thailand.<\/p>\n
However, 40 percent of foreign direct investment in Thailand
\nstill comes from Japan and there are about 1,100 Japanese firms
\noperating in the country.<\/p>\n
Thailand is also the fourth-largest recipient of Japanese
\ndevelopment assistance and Tokyo provided it more than $14
\nbillion under different schemes to help it pull out of crisis.<\/p>\n
Through Obuchi's visit, Japan aimed to boost Japanese
\ninvestment in both small and medium-sized enterprises in
\nThailand, the Japanese official said.<\/p>\n
It would also discuss Japan's efforts to foster human resource
\nskills, including the establishment of a regional network for
\ndevelopment of higher education in engineering.<\/p>\n
The investment push would be backed up with visits by
\ndelegations from the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO)
\nand the Federation of Economic Organizations, or Keidanren, in
\nFebruary and March respectively, he said.<\/p>\n
Thai and Japanese officials said the two sides would also
\naddress regional security issues, such as newly independent East
\nTimor and military-ruled Myanmar, as well as efforts to open a
\nnew world trade round.<\/p>\n
Thai government spokesman Akapol Sorasuchart said Thailand
\nhoped to secure better access to Japan for its farm products.<\/p>\n
\"Opening up of the markets -- increased market share -- will
\nprobably be the main targets Thailand is aiming for. I think in
\nsome areas we are quite hopeful,\" Akapol said, adding that these
\nincluded fruit, rice and rubber.<\/p>\n
He said Japan wanted to hear Thailand's views as current head
\nof the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
\nahead of a meeting of the group of eight industrial nations Japan
\nis due to host this year.<\/p>\n
Obuchi has said he hopes G8 will give voice to Asian views.
\nJapan is also lobbying for support for its former top financial
\ndiplomat Eisuke Sakakibara's bid to become the next head of the
\nInternational Monetary Fund.<\/p>\n
Obuchi is to hold a news conference at 11 a.m. (11 a.m.
\nJakarta time) on Friday. Later he will have an audience with
\nThai King Bhumibol Adulyadej and is due to leave Thailand on
\nSaturday morning.<\/p>",
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