Thailand and Canada have agreed to strengthen the trade and investment bonds between the two countries. Thailand has called on Canada to support Thai restaurants and food imports. Yesterday Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit spoke with Sarah Taylor, Canadian ambassador to Thailand. He stated that both sides have agreed to increase bilateral trade from US$2.31 billion last year.
Jurin said Thailand requested Canada support more imports of Thai agricultural products such as fresh and frozen fruit such as durian, longan, mangosteen, rambutan, lychee, mango, coconut, longkong and tamarind. Thailand also hopes Canada will promote Thai food and Thai restaurants in Canada, said 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.