Irano-Thailand Joint Ventures for Oil Refinery, Fertilizer Plant Under Consideration--- Iran Is a Pillar of Stability inRegion--- Iran's Attempts at DefusingSyria-Turkey TensionLauded Worldwide--- N
November 23, 1998 - 0:0
TEHRAN Thai Foreign Minister Surin Pitsuwan voiced satisfaction with the outcome of his visit to Iran, saying Bangkok and Tehran are to launch joint ventures for an oil refinery and a fertilizer plant. Talking to the TEHRAN TIMES yesterday, Pitsuwan, who arrived here on Friday, added, We have had fruitful discussions with the Iranian officials on cooperation in the fields of fishery, agriculture and oil industry.
Thailand will increase its purchase of crude oil from Iran by 10,000 barrels per day, he noted. He said that Thai private sector showed a keen desire to invest in the industrial sector in Iran's free trade zone. You know, said Pitsuwan, Thailand is an exporter of several types of goods such as manufactured goods, medicine, textiles, electronic goods and canned food.
We are trying to devise a system under which Thailand may use Iran as a route for the export of its goods to this region, he said, adding that Thailand's facilities will be accessible to Iran for similar purposes. Both countries have long-range projects for supplying Far Eastern countries with Iranian natural resources via Thailand, Pitsuwan said. Experts of both countries are working on a plan to establish an oil refinery in Thailand with the capacity of 200,000 barrels per day, which will supply refined oil to the Far East, the Thai minister added.
Setting up a fertilizer plant in Iran by the Thai experts is also being reviewed and we hope the plan will be materialized soon, Pitsuwan said. According to another plan that is under consideration, Thailand will export raw sugar to Iran, which will be refined here for the domestic consumption and for the export to other countries in the region, the minister said.
On the present level of bilateral trade, Pitsuwan said, Such trade amounts to $700 million per year and it is in favor of Iran. We are here to balance the trade through further cooperation in industrial and commercial sectors, the minister noted. On political issues, he said that both countries hold similar views on various international and regional issues. Iran is a pillar of stability in the region and it can play its constructive role in preserving peace in this part of the world, Pitsuwan said.
He added, Iran played a crucial role in defusing tension between Syria and Turkey, which greatly helped to maintain peace in the region. Thailand now has achieved an observer status in the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), thanks to Iran's efforts, Pitsuwan said. Iran, as head of the OIC, admitted Thailand as an observer last October. Thai Ambassador to Iran Mahadi Wimana was also present during the interview.
Thailand will increase its purchase of crude oil from Iran by 10,000 barrels per day, he noted. He said that Thai private sector showed a keen desire to invest in the industrial sector in Iran's free trade zone. You know, said Pitsuwan, Thailand is an exporter of several types of goods such as manufactured goods, medicine, textiles, electronic goods and canned food.
We are trying to devise a system under which Thailand may use Iran as a route for the export of its goods to this region, he said, adding that Thailand's facilities will be accessible to Iran for similar purposes. Both countries have long-range projects for supplying Far Eastern countries with Iranian natural resources via Thailand, Pitsuwan said. Experts of both countries are working on a plan to establish an oil refinery in Thailand with the capacity of 200,000 barrels per day, which will supply refined oil to the Far East, the Thai minister added.
Setting up a fertilizer plant in Iran by the Thai experts is also being reviewed and we hope the plan will be materialized soon, Pitsuwan said. According to another plan that is under consideration, Thailand will export raw sugar to Iran, which will be refined here for the domestic consumption and for the export to other countries in the region, the minister said.
On the present level of bilateral trade, Pitsuwan said, Such trade amounts to $700 million per year and it is in favor of Iran. We are here to balance the trade through further cooperation in industrial and commercial sectors, the minister noted. On political issues, he said that both countries hold similar views on various international and regional issues. Iran is a pillar of stability in the region and it can play its constructive role in preserving peace in this part of the world, Pitsuwan said.
He added, Iran played a crucial role in defusing tension between Syria and Turkey, which greatly helped to maintain peace in the region. Thailand now has achieved an observer status in the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), thanks to Iran's efforts, Pitsuwan said. Iran, as head of the OIC, admitted Thailand as an observer last October. Thai Ambassador to Iran Mahadi Wimana was also present during the interview.