Thailand and Canada have agreed to strengthen trade and investment between the two countries, with Thailand calling on Canada to support Thai restaurants and food imports. Speaking yesterday after talking with Sarah Taylor, Canadian ambassador to Thailand, Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said both sides have agreed to increase bilateral trade from US$2.31 billion last year. Mr Jurin said Thailand requested Canada support more imports of Thai agricultural products such as hom mali rice, coloured and brown rice, rubber products, processed seafood, fresh and frozen fruit such as durian, longan, mangosteen, rambutan, lychee, mango, coconut, longkong and tamarind. Thailand also wants Canada to promote Thai food and Thai restaurants in Canada, said Mr Jurin, as greater awareness of Thai food will stimulate consumption and import of raw materials and ingredients from Thailand.
There are 1,000 Thai restaurants in Canada, including 100 Thai Select-certified restaurants. Thai Select is part of the Thai Kitchen World Cuisine programme introduced in 2006 to capitalise on the global popularity of Thai cuisine. Thai Select Premium indicates a degree of excellence of five stars or higher. The label is granted to restaurants that offer authentic Thai food of premium quality with luxurious decor and outstanding service. Thai Select indicates 3-4 stars, awarded to restaurants serving fine authentic Thai cuisine. To date, more than 1,300 restaurants abroad have received the certification. Mr Jurin said both sides also agreed to speed up preparation for the Asean-Canada free trade agreement talks that can help expand trade and investment, as well as raise the competitiveness of Asean countries in the Canadian market. Canada is also ready to support Thailand joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, he said.