I will visit Thailand from 23-27 July topromote Australia's economic and trade interests,and explore new opportunities for Australian businesses.
Iwill meet senior Thai government and business representatives to discuss trade,tourism and investment opportunities, and visit Australian companies working inThailand, including Linfox Thailand and ANCA Manufacturing.
Myvisit will include a trip to Thailand's Eastern Economic Corridor, a majorinvestment zone designed to harness Thailand's next-generation industries. Ilook forward to learning more about Thailand's efforts to attract investmentand expand its economy.
Thailandis Australia's ninth largest trading partner. Since signing theThailand-Australia Free Trade Agreement (TAFTA) in 2005, trade between our twonations has doubled to $21.8 billion and Thailand has become the fifth largestimport source for Australia. Thailand's investment presence in Australia hasalso significantly increased, and now stands at over $4.4 billion.
I will also visit Hellfire Pass to paymy respects to the more than 700 Australians who losttheir lives there during World War II.