Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra aims to increase bilateral trade between Thailand and Poland by more than 35% to US$1 billion in five years.
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk attend a news conference after their meeting in Warsaw. (EPA Photo)
Speaking on her weekly "Prime Minister Yingluck Meets the People" TV programme on Saturday morning, the premier said Poland had high potential to be a trade and investment gateway to Central and Eastern Europe given its location bordering seven countries.
Thailand and Poland recorded bilateral trade worth $732 million last year.
Ms Yingluck led an official delegation to Poland and Turkey on a four-day trip that was scheduled to conclude later on Saturday.
Five Thai companies have invested in Poland, she said, and a study found that sectors with potential were processed farm products, food and alternative energy.
However, no Thai premier has ever paid an official visit to Poland over the past 40 years, reducing the opportunity for expansion of trade and investment.
She said Poland also saw the opportunity to use Thailand as a gateway for economic expansion to Asean because of its strategic location. Thailand is currently Poland’s second largest trade partner in Asean.
Ms Yingluck said Poles were interested in Thai products but Thailand needed to increase distribution channels to serve not only the Polish market but also other countries in Central and Eastern Europe.
The premier witnessed the signing of six memoranda of understanding between the two governments aiming to strengthen strategic partnerships in trade, technical and cultural knowledge exchanges.
Ms Yingluck also plans an exchange of knowledge on water management with Poland, which has succeeded in this area by allowing communities and civil society groups to participate in water management planning with the government.
The premier also extended an invitation to Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk to visit Thailand.