Thailand to provide technical assistance to South Pacific

The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and Thailand signed Thursday a Development Cooperation Framework Action Plan for the provision of technical assistance to members of the Forum in a number of sectors.

The agreement was signed by Greg Urwin, Secretary General of the Forum Secretariat and Nongnuth Phetcharatana, Director- General of the Thai Department of American and South Pacific Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at the Forum Meeting in Nadi, Fiji.

The Action Plan is to strengthen technical cooperation in four priority areas namely agriculture, tourism, education and health.

The main objectives of the Action Plan are to support and complement activities outlined in the Pacific Plan endorsed by Forum Leaders last year, to provide a framework for deepening and expanding cooperation and exchanges between Thailand and the Forum particularly in the four priority areas, and to consolidate both parties commitment to regular consultation for the monitoring of the Action Plan and future areas of cooperation.

To pursue the activities, Thailand and the Forum Secretariat will endeavor to increase the number of scholarships for Forum nationals, training courses, study visits, expert advice in the areas of agriculture, tourism, education and health, and organize customized study visits for high level officers.

The two sides will also promote studies, exchanges and regular consultations between government and academic agencies in Thailand and the Forum member countries, and foster linkages between academic research institutions between the University of the South Pacific and universities and colleges in Thailand.

Thailand and Forum member countries will also strengthen economic cooperation by promoting trade and increasing Thai investments in the region.

Thailand is a Post Forum Dialogue Partner. The 37th Pacific Islands Forum was held on Oct. 23-25 followed by two-day Post Forum Dialogue meetings.

Source: Xinhua