Somkid Jatusripitak, who is tasked with economic affairs, made the comment when Bangladesh Ambassador Saida Muna Tasneem called on him and briefed him about the expo on Tuesday.

Bangladesh showcased its manufacturing capabilities in Thailand during the May 30 to June 1 trade and investment expo.

The embassy said the first-ever expo drew over 1500 Thai businesses who showed ‘keen interest’ to find trade and investment opportunities in Bangladesh.

Several ministers from Thailand including ministers for commerce and industry joined their Bangladesh counterparts in the expo.

The Bangladesh commerce minister offered a special economic zone for Thailand while seeking duty-free market access for Bangladesh’s main export items.

The deputy prime minister said Thailand would give a ‘fresh look’ towards Bangladesh in the areas of trade, investment and tourism.

He also stressed on regular exchange and dialogue between the political leaders of the two countries along the Bay of Bengal for increasing business, trade and tourism.

He assured the Ambassador that the Thai government would work ‘closely’ with Bangladesh to realise the vision of greater connectivity between the two countries specially connecting the Ranong port with Chittagong port.

Jatusripitak also showed interest in promoting Buddhist circuit tourism between the countries, and expressed his intentions to visit Bangladesh in the near future.

The ambassador also briefed him about the proposed 4th Joint Trade Committee scheduled to be held in Dhaka later this year.