Azernews.Az

By Aynur Jafarova

Thailand intends to cooperate with Kazakhstan in the energy sector, Thailand's Energy Minister Pongsak Ruktapongpisal said on August 19 during a meeting with Kazakh Ambassador to Thailand Marat Yesenbayev, Kazakhstan's Foreign Ministry said.

According to the Thai minister, his country is interested in investing in the construction of thermal power stations in the Central Asian state.

Kazakhstan's favorable geographical location can be used for export of energy surplus to neighboring countries, opening up great opportunities for potential investors from Thailand, he said.

Ruktapongpisal said further that his government highly appreciates its relations with Kazakhstan, but noted that the existing vast potential in each area of partnership is not fully used.

During the meeting the sides discussed prospects of cooperation in the energy sector.

Amb. Yesenbayev informed the Thai minister about the economic development of Kazakhstan, the situation in the oil and gas industry of the country, the nuclear and coal industry.

The ambassador also familiarized Ruktapongpisal with the main principles of the "Kazakhstan-2050" strategy, the strategy of the country on a transition to the "green" economy and the state program of industrial and innovative development.

Yesenbayev presented to the Thai minister an invitation to attend the VIII Eurasian forum "KAZENERGY", due October 8-9, and the 21^st Kazakh international oil and gas exhibition to be held on October 1-4.

As a result of the meeting, the sides agreed on further discussion of organizing a visit of Thailand's energy minister to Kazakhstan for holding relevant meetings and talks on potential investment and on issues of bilateral energy cooperation.

The diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and Thailand were established in July 1992. The trade turnover between the two countries was $103.3 million in 2011.

The two countries have also established the intergovernmental commission on trade and economic, scientific, technical and cultural cooperation.

Tourism is one of the prospective areas of cooperation as well.

Kazakhstan's Air Astana airline carries out Almaty-Bangkok-Almaty flights.

In February 2013, the Kazakh Transport and Communications Ministry said that Kazakh and Thai aviation bodies agreed to expand flights and increase their number.

Previously, regular flights were administered twice a week only through the Almaty-Bangkok route. At present, Kazakh airlines will be able to conduct regular flights from any Kazakh city to Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi and Utapao.

The Kazakh aviation authorities have permitted Thai airlines to make regular flights from Thailand's any point to Astana, Almaty, Karaganda and Shymkent.