Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is scheduled to visit the Kingdom of Bahrain on March 30 and 31 at the invitation of the Government of Bahrain.

Prior to his visit to Bahrain, the Prime Minister will visit Brunei Darussalam on March 29. He said that the decision to travel to the two countries would have to be based on the appropriate timing and assessment of the current situation. The planned visit to Brunei had been postponed many times, and with Bahrain, discussions on bilateral economic cooperation and support of Thailand in the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) would also be held during the visit.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during Prime Minister Abhisit’s official visit to Bahrain, he will be granted an audience with His Majesty Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa at Al Safariya Palace. The Prime Minister will hold bilateral talks with His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister of Bahrain at Al Gudaibiya Palace. The discussion will focus mainly on economic cooperation, particularly the follow-up on the establishment of Thailand’s Food Security Stockpile and Distribution Center, construction projects, and other areas of cooperation previously discussed during the official visit to Thailand by the Prime Minister of Bahrain in August 2009.

Prime Minister Abhisit will meet Bahraini business people and give an interview to the local media. He will also visit the Thai community in Bahrain to update them on the Thai political and economic situation, as well as the situation in the southern border provinces.

Thailand and Bahrain have long enjoyed close and cordial relations. Thailand is appreciative of Bahrain’s understanding and support regarding the Thai government’s efforts to solve the situation in the southern border provinces. It is also grateful to Bahrain for its assistance and cooperation in the international arena, particularly in OIC.

Regarding trade cooperation, bilateral trade between the two countries in 2009 came to 185.5 million US dollars, and the trade balance was in Thailand’s favor. Major Thai exports to Bahrain include air-conditioners and parts, garments, gems and jewelry, fabrics, vehicles, refrigerators, plastic products, and canned seafood. Thailand imports oil, minerals, chemicals, fertilizers, pulp and paper, and frozen squid from Bahrain.

Bahrain welcomed Thai investors, especially in the field of halal food. As a major rice and halal food exporter, Thailand may use Bahrain as a hub for distributing its products to the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. The Thai government attaches great importance to the halal food industry, as it will help boost the economy in southern provinces of Thailand. Today, Bahrain is one of Thailand’s most important strategic partners in the Gulf, and Thailand is ready and willing to serve as Bahrain’s gateway to the ASEAN region and beyond to East and South Asia.