Aquino to promote public-private partnership program in state visit to Thailand
PRESIDENT Benigno S. Aquino III is expected to promote the country’s Public Private
Partnership (PPP) program as part of the agenda of his 2-day state visit to the Kingdom of
Thailand.
In an interview with Radio-TV Malacanang (RTVM) in Bangkok on Tuesday, Philippine
Ambassador to Thailand Linglingay Lacanlale said that the President may pursue the promotion
of the government’s PPP programs, specifically on infrastructure development, as soon as he
meets with Thailand Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and top Thai business executives.
Lacanlale said that the Chief Executive will be presenting investment possibilities in the
Philippines under the PPP program.
“Aside from trade marami tayong opportunities for cooperation. Alam natin na ang Presidente
tuwing makakausap niya ang mga pinuno ng mga iba’t-ibang pamahalaan sinasabi niya itong
ating programa na PPP sa infrastructure development, so isa ito sa puwedeng i-pursue ng
Pangulo”, Lacanlale said.
The President is set to meet with key officials of prominent Thai business companies that include
the Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group, Siam Cement Group (SCG), and Petroleum Authority of
Thailand (PTT) Public Company Limited.
It will be recalled that during the bilateral talks between the Philippines and Thailand in the 18th
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit held in Jakarta, Indonesia, recently,
the Thai leader has expressed keen interest in participating in the said project to share their
experiences and knowledge in infrastructure development.
Over the years, the Philippines and Thailand has maintained good diplomatic relationship and
reciprocity in the field of trade and investment.
Apart from this, other issues of cooperation to be discussed include addressing the problem of
drug trafficking, agricultural support and cooperation in regional and multilateral forums, among
others. (PCOO/PIA)
