Thailand, Bahrain step up food security

The governments of Thailand and Bahrain set up a joint steering committee on November 28 to boost food and energy security as well as increase bilateral investment, the Bahrain News Agency reported.

The step up in cooperation came after three agreements – concerning food security, culture and tourism – were signed in May during Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s visit to Bahrain.

The committee was agreed on by Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul and Bahraini Foreign Minister Sheikh Khaled bin Ahmed Al Khalifa,

Bahrain is planning to establish silos in Thailand to store food, such as rice, which would be purchased from Thailand to improve food security in the Gulf country. In turn, Thailand would set up a commodity distribution centre in Bahrain.

The two countries also agreed on joint research and development of agricultural products, especially in the halal food industry.

Apart from rice, Thailand has proposed that the Bahraini government buy a range of other Thai products such as sugar, frozen chicken, canned foods, as well as construction materials.

Bahrain has said it will send more businessmen to Thailand to improve capital investment. In the area of health tourism, both sides also shared the view that cooperation in this area should be intensified. The Thai government has allowed residents from the Gulf Cooperation Council seeking medical services in Thailand to stay in the country up to 30 days without visa.

The Thai private sector showed  interest in participating in construction projects in Bahrain, especially in the fields architecture services and interior design. The Bahraini side will form a working group to facilitate the operations of Thai private companies in Bahrain.