Dubai, April 24 (NNN-TNA) The United Arab Emirates’ Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has persuaded Thailand to invest in the country and exchange business strengths and opportunities with the UAE federation, according to Thai Foreign Minister Nitya Pibulsonggram.
Mr.Nitya made the revelation after meeting with Sheikh Maktoum, who is also the UAE’s vice president, defence minister, and ruler of Dubai.
The meeting was also attended by key Dubai private and public sector figures including Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, president of the Dubai Executive Council and crown prince of Dubai, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, vice president of the Executive Council and president of the Emirates Group.
Mr. Nitya said Sheikh Maktoum wanted Thailand to jointly develop the Dubai State through investment in the construction, architecture, labour and service sectors since he viewed Thailand as having a surplus of what is insufficient for the Gulf city.
The Dubai ruler affirmed that his country wanted more Thai workers because of their high skill level and good behaviour,qualities which lead the Gulf City to desire an increased number of Thai workers. It was also agreed that a pact for manpower cooperation to be signed by the two countries would reduce the costs for Thai workers who must pay for travel to work in Dubai, said Mr. Nitya.
At present, the Foreign Minister said, some 250 Thai workers are working for the Japanese company Obayashi on tunnel construction project in Dubai. But Dubai still wants more Thai skilled workers in its labour force. It is now offering attractive incentives including higher wages, and better working conditions.
“What difficulties the Thai workers mainly experience is poor communication, particularly in English. The Thailand's Foreign Ministry will liaison with the Labour Ministry to solve the problem,” said Mr. Nitya.
Pilan Panichsupapol, director of the Foreign Trade Promotion Office in Dubai, said the office had a strategic plan to promote export to UAE.
It planned to set up the Thai-UAE Business Council to boost cooperation and connections between Thai and UAE banks.
The council is prepared to persuade and liaison with Thai commercial banks to open branch offices in Dubai and to promote Thai service businesses with growth potential there, including restaurants, construction materials, office and home decor, hospital, hotel management and spa industry.
The office projected Thailand’s exports to Dubai would increase by 25 per cent to US$1.82 billion in value this year.